Rohit Pawar, a leader from the Sharad Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and nephew of late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the operations of Delhi-based aviation firm VSR Ventures following the January 28 aircraft crash in Baramati that claimed his uncle’s life along with four others.
The demand comes after VSR Ventures came under scrutiny as the operator of the Learjet 45 involved in the fatal accident. Raising concerns over the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Rohit Pawar questioned how both flight recorders — commonly referred to as black boxes — were destroyed in the post-crash fire despite being designed to withstand extreme temperatures, pressure, and water exposure. He said the simultaneous failure of both devices raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the crash and the adequacy of safety standards.
Speaking to media agencies, Pawar alleged that certain aspects of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) report appeared favourable to the company and called for closer scrutiny of both political and commercial angles linked to the incident. He claimed that VSR Ventures’ functioning required detailed examination and warned that safety risks could extend to other VIP passengers using similar charter services.
Describing the crash as a tragedy that deeply affected both Maharashtra and the Pawar family, he called for an investigation covering events leading up to the accident, including developments on January 27, a day before the crash, and urged authorities to examine whether any criminal negligence was involved.
Rohit Pawar also alleged a possible nexus between VSR Ventures and the family of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, questioning whether the investigation could remain impartial given political connections. Referring to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, he argued that potential conflicts of interest must be addressed to ensure transparency in the probe.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pawar requested that the aviation minister step down temporarily until the investigation concludes, stating that such a move would help ensure there is no perceived influence over inquiries into whether regulatory authorities, including the DGCA, acted appropriately in relation to the aviation firm.
Ajit Pawar’s son, Jay Pawar, has also called for an inquiry into what he described as possible serious lapses connected to the crash. The January 28 accident at Baramati airport resulted in the deaths of Ajit Pawar and four others, and investigations by aviation authorities remain ongoing as officials attempt to determine the exact cause of the crash.
