Pune

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Friday cited a report in a section of foreign media on the Air India Flight AI-171 crash last year to reiterate his doubts over the Baramati plane crash that claimed the life of former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.

His remarks came a day after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) clarified that the investigation into the Air India crash in Ahmedabad was still underway and that media reports suggesting the probe had been concluded were “incorrect and speculative”.

“After seeing the news in a section of foreign media that the pilot himself had turned off the fuel switch in the Ahmedabad aircraft crash, the suspicion earlier expressed regarding Ajit Dada’s plane accident has gained further strength,” Rohit Pawar said in a post on X.

The NCP (SP) leader had earlier raised the possibility of “sabotage” in the Baramati crash and renewed his demand for strict action against the private company that owned the aircraft involved in the accident.

Ajit Pawar and four others were killed on January 28 when the chartered Learjet aircraft they were travelling in crashed at the airport in Baramati, located in Pune district.

Rohit Pawar, a nephew of the late leader, said that an investigation into the Baramati air crash must also examine whether any pressure was exerted on the pilot.

“A thorough, in-depth and impartial investigation must be carried out,” the Opposition MLA said, reiterating his demand for a ban on the operations of the company that owned the aircraft.

He argued that if contractors executing substandard work are blacklisted and officials guilty of wrongdoing are dismissed, similar standards should apply to companies providing aviation services in the event of fatal accidents.

“Why should there be no action against an airline company that provides life-threatening services? The same standard of justice should have been applied to the VSR company that owned the aircraft which crashed in Baramati,” he said.

Rohit Pawar maintained that by now, a criminal case should have been registered against the company and its operations suspended.

“But why is that not happening? Does the owner or partner of the company wield such influence that even the government is afraid to act against them?” he asked.

He also questioned whether the lives of prominent personalities, celebrities, political leaders, pilots and other aviation staff who avail the services of the company were not equally important.

“Therefore, I urge the government to take immediate action against the company and impose a ban on its operations within the country,” he said.

Earlier, at a press conference in Mumbai on February 10, Rohit Pawar had alleged there was reason to suspect sabotage in the tragic crash and called for a comprehensive, multi-agency probe.

However, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has ruled out any conspiracy, describing the incident as an accident.

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Rohit Pawar has also questioned the track record of Sumit Kapoor, who was piloting the aircraft on January 28, citing his past suspension for three years over alcohol consumption.