Rohit Pawar Demands FIR Against DGCA and VSR Airlines Over Ajit Pawar Plane Crash

Mumbai: Maharashtra legislator Rohit Pawar, from Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction, has taken an aggressive stand following the plane crash that claimed the life of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. On Wednesday, amid the Maharashtra Budget session, Rohit Pawar visited the Marine Drive police station demanding that an FIR be registered against the private charter airline VSR and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Rohit Pawar’s demand comes at a time when the DGCA has grounded four Learjet aircraft operated by VSR. He was accompanied by NCP MLC Amol Mitkari, and both reportedly engaged in a heated discussion with police over the delay in action, questioning why authorities have not proceeded despite apparent evidence surrounding Ajit Pawar’s tragic accident.

The crash occurred on 28 January, when Ajit Pawar’s private chartered aircraft went down. The owner of VSR Airlines, Vijay Kumar Singh, denied any technical faults in the plane. Rohit Pawar has since been critical of Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, claiming that the minister cleared VSR of responsibility immediately after the crash. The DGCA, however, has since identified defects, resulting in a temporary suspension of flights for four of VSR Ventures’ Learjets.

The Baramati plane crash investigation is being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation. Established in 2012 following ICAO guidelines, the AAIB independently investigates aircraft accidents and serious incidents. Its headquarters is at Safdarjung Airport, Delhi. In addition, Maharashtra Police’s CID is also probing the incident. Recently, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hinted at a possible CBI inquiry, which Rohit Pawar opposed, citing the agency’s already heavy workload. The preliminary report on the crash is expected before 28 February.