NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Friday renewed his claim that sabotage could have been behind the Baramati plane crash that killed his uncle, senior Maharashtra leader Ajit Pawar, citing recent foreign media reports on another aviation accident to bolster his suspicion. Referring to coverage of the AI-171 crash, Rohit Pawar said developments in that case have strengthened doubts earlier raised about the circumstances surrounding the Baramati tragedy.
He argued that the crash cannot be viewed as a routine accident and demanded a wider, multi-agency investigation. “After seeing reports related to the AI-171 crash, the suspicion expressed regarding Ajit Dada’s plane accident has gained further strength,” he said, asserting that all possible angles, including sabotage, must be thoroughly examined.
The Baramati crash occurred on January 28 when the aircraft went down during landing in Pune district, killing Ajit Pawar and four others, including crew members.
Also read: Doubts persist over Ajit Pawar’s death, says Rohit Pawar
The incident sent shockwaves across Maharashtra’s political landscape, given the late leader’s stature and the Pawar family’s stronghold in the region. Rohit Pawar has repeatedly pointed to what he described as “unanswered questions” surrounding the crash. He has called for the involvement of independent and specialised agencies to ensure transparency and credibility in the probe.
While the state’s investigating agencies are already examining the circumstances leading to the accident, Rohit Pawar maintained that the gravity of the incident warrants a deeper and more comprehensive inquiry.
He also urged authorities not to dismiss alternative possibilities prematurely, stressing that public confidence would depend on a transparent investigation that leaves no room for doubt. The renewed remarks are likely to intensify political debate in the state, with the demand for a broader probe adding a fresh layer of controversy to an already sensitive case.
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