Rohit Pawar Claims Sabotage, Wants Foreign Agencies To Probe Ajit Pawar Plane Crash
NCP leader seeks international probe, cites discrepancies in reports
Mumbai: NCP (Sharad Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar on Tuesday alleged that there was reason to suspect sabotage in the air crash that killed his uncle and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar last month, and demanded a comprehensive probe by multiple agencies.
At a press conference, Rohit Pawar questioned the track record of Capt. Sumit Kapoor, who was piloting the aircraft on January 28, citing his suspension for three years for alcohol consumption in the past.
He alleged that VSR Ventures, which owned the Learjet aircraft carrying the late leader, wielded influence over DGCA officials and could “get away with anything.”
“The final probe report of the 2023 crash involving a VSR company aircraft has already been submitted. Even now, VSR company planes continue to be used by high-ranking political leaders,” Rohit Pawar said, questioning why the company's licence to operate was never scrapped.
He said there were serious doubts about VSR Company, the handling company Arrow, which made the booking, and the pilot, Sumit Kapoor. He demanded that VSR company officials be booked for culpable homicide.
“We do not believe this was a mere accident. There is room to suspect sabotage,” he alleged.
Ajit Pawar, Captain Kapoor, with a flying experience of 15,000 hours and co-pilot Capt. Shambhavi Pathak, with 1,500 hours, were flying the aircraft.
Rohit Pawar raised several questions regarding the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
He asked whether the aircraft's transponder was intentionally switched off before the final moments.
According to Rohi Pawar, the original pilots — Sahil Madan and Yash — were reportedly delayed due to traffic.
“Then how did Sumit Kapoor and Shambhavi Pathak reach the airport? Were they living nearby?” he asked, adding that Pathak had more flying experience on the Learjet than Kapoor.
He claimed that Kapoor remained silent when the aircraft banked sharply in the moments before the crash “Why did he demand the difficult Runway 11, and why did he attempt to land despite visibility issues,” the NCP (SP) MLA asked.
According to the NCP (SP) MLA, Ajit Pawar was scheduled to travel to Pune on the evening of January 27 after a Cabinet meeting, and his convoy was ready, which could be verified through CCTV footage at Deogiri Bungalow, Ajit Pawar's official residence.
“However, a leader from East Vidarbha arrived with a file related to scrapping a political consultant's contract, which delayed the meeting. The aircraft booking was done late at night. Ajitdada was scheduled to take off at 7 am, yet the plane departed only at 8.10 am,” Rohit Pawar said.
According to a statement issued by the ministry of civil aviation after crash, Baramati was an 'uncontrolled airfield' (one without a dedicated Air Traffic Control), and traffic information is provided by instructors/pilots from the local flying training organisations.
He said the Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID) would not have full authority to probe the incident and demanded an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board of the US, the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety, the UK-based Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), along with Indian agencies.
Rohit Pawar pointed out that India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) functions under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), raising concerns that all doubts surrounding the crash may not be cleared.
