NCP legislator Rohit Pawar has escalated his call for a CBI investigation into the fatal plane crash involving former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on January 28. He challenged Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar to leverage her influence within the Mahayuti alliance to ensure the case is transferred to the Central agency. Rohit Pawar, who is Ajit Pawar’s nephew, set a deadline of May 28 for initiating the CBI probe, accusing the state government of prolonging the investigation and questioning the BJP’s commitment to its allies.
He criticized the government for delaying the investigation, insinuating that the BJP might not be a trustworthy ally. Rohit Pawar emphasized the need for accountability, questioning the government’s integrity and warning that the people will demand answers if transparency is not upheld. He also called out the MLAs under Ajit Pawar’s leadership for prioritizing development funds over seeking justice for their deceased leader.
Rohit Pawar highlighted Sunetra Pawar’s previous request to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for a CBI inquiry, noting that despite a positive response from the CM in the Assembly, the formal transfer of the case to the CBI has not yet taken place. He further alleged possible foul play in the crash, linking it to a Nashik-based godman and raising concerns about safety non-compliances by the aircraft operator, VSR Ventures.
The state government disclosed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) identified safety lapses by the aircraft operator following a preliminary audit in mid-May. While the Maharashtra State CID is currently handling the case, Rohit Pawar continues to advocate for a CBI investigation, citing concerns about the CID’s jurisdiction and transparency in uncovering any potential conspiracy.
