A Zero FIR has been registered at the High Grounds police station in Bengaluru following a complaint by Rohit Pawar, alleging that the death of senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar in a plane crash was the result of a “larger criminal conspiracy.”
According to Rohit Pawar, the case has now been transferred from the Karnataka Police to the Maharashtra Police for further investigation. In a post on X on Wednesday, he stated that the focus now shifts to the Maharashtra Police to ensure accountability and bring those responsible to justice.
In his complaint, Pawar cited multiple irregularities, including “systematic violations” of aviation safety norms, alleged falsification of records, and gross negligence in aircraft maintenance and operations. He further claimed that these factors point toward a pattern of conduct leading to the fatal crash.
Pawar also revealed that he had earlier approached police stations in Mumbai and Baramati seeking registration of an FIR, but no case was filed. He added that the Pune CID had indicated they were examining the matter only from the perspective of an Accidental Death Report.
The Karjat-Jamkhed MLA has repeatedly raised concerns about the role of VSR Ventures, the company that owned the aircraft involved in the crash. He has questioned the absence of immediate regulatory scrutiny in this case, drawing comparisons with other aviation incidents where authorities such as the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) conducted prompt inspections.
He has also called for a probe into possible sabotage, the pilot’s track record, and the operational practices of the company. In earlier statements, Pawar alleged links between VSR Ventures and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and demanded the resignation of Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, citing alleged political and financial connections.
The fatal crash occurred on January 28, when a VSR Aviation-operated Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) flying from Mumbai crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport, approximately 90 km from Pune. The aircraft burst into flames upon impact near the threshold of runway 11 at around 8:46 am.
Ajit Pawar, 66, was travelling to his hometown to address public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections. Along with him, four others lost their lives in the accident.
With the case now in the hands of the Maharashtra Police, the investigation is expected to examine both technical and criminal aspects surrounding the crash, amid growing political and public scrutiny.
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