Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 5: Family members of former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar have raised doubts about the circumstances surrounding the plane crash that claimed his life and are expected to seek a high-level investigation into the incident.
Sources said his son, Parth Pawar, along with other family members, is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to request a detailed probe. On Thursday, Parth Pawar also filed his nomination as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections.
The party had already demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), but the family’s direct involvement has intensified calls for a deeper inquiry.
Concerns about the crash were earlier raised by Ajit Pawar’s nephew, Rohit Pawar, an MLA from the NCP (SP) faction. At a press conference, he questioned the role of aviation company VSR Ventures and the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Later, Ajit Pawar’s younger son, Jay Pawar, shared a video that allegedly shows VSR Ventures owner Rohit Singh asleep in the pilot’s seat during a flight. Jay Pawar has also filed a petition with the DGCA seeking strict action against the company.
Meanwhile, around 20 NCP MLAs met Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar at her official residence ‘Devgiri’ on Wednesday night to discuss alleged inconsistencies related to the crash. Sources said the family is dissatisfied with the preliminary findings of the investigation.
During the proposed meeting with the Prime Minister, Parth Pawar is expected to demand a comprehensive technical audit of VSR Ventures and a detailed review of the safety protocols followed by the DGCA. He is also likely to seek an independent investigation to rule out any possibility of foul play.
Earlier, NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule also called for a transparent inquiry into the crash that occurred in Baramati on January 28. She said supporters of Ajit Pawar across Maharashtra were anxious and wanted clarity about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“The people who love Ajit Dada are uneasy. There is a collective demand for a transparent investigation so that the truth comes out,” Sule said, stressing that a fair probe is necessary to maintain public trust.