NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has raised serious concerns regarding the investigation into the Baramati plane crash that killed five people, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. In a press conference held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, Rohit Pawar alleged that the private jet operator involved, VSR Ventures (VSR Aviation), is being protected by “very influential” political and business figures.
Allegations of Political and Commercial Sabotage
Rohit Pawar, who is the nephew of the late Ajit Pawar, suggested that the crash may not have been a simple accident. He indicated that his party is exploring two primary angles: political and commercial. He further alleged that certain “voices” are attempting to control the narrative surrounding the tragedy to shield the Delhi-based operator.
“VSR Ventures appears to have the support of influential people, some in state governments and some linked to the ruling party at the national level,” he stated.
Technical Irregularities and CVR Discrepancies
A significant portion of the allegations focused on the technical state of the aircraft, a Bombardier Learjet 45 (registered as VT-SSK).
- Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): Rohit Pawar flagged that the aircraft’s CVR had a recording capacity of only 30 minutes, despite the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requirement for a two-hour capacity. He questioned how the aircraft was even registered under such conditions.
- The “Last 30 Minutes”: He argued that the final 30 minutes of flight data are crucial. While authorities have suggested the CVR was damaged, Rohit expressed skepticism, hinting that the data might be suppressed because it contains facts VSR or its backers wish to keep hidden.
The “Petrol Can” Theory and Maintenance Issues
The MLA also revealed disturbing claims regarding the nature of the fire that followed the crash. He noted that witnesses reported “many blasts” rather than a single explosion.
“There is an area where bags are kept; additional petrol cans were reportedly kept there, and that’s what caused the fire,” he alleged. He called for an immediate investigation into the maintenance and mechanical history of VSR Ventures, which he claims is fraught with irregularities.
Appeal to National Leadership
Stating that the local and state-level figures involved are too powerful to be investigated by ordinary means, Rohit Pawar made a direct appeal to the highest levels of the Indian government.
“If the investigation is to receive true justice, then the most powerful leaders in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, are the ones who can ensure justice for Ajit Pawar,” he said.
VIDEO | Delhi: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar (@RRPSpeak) holds a press conference on Baramati air crash, says, "The deeper we go into this matter, the more one thing becomes clear: this company called VSR appears to have the support of very influential people. Many of them are in… pic.twitter.com/v0XKvfq1YO
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 21, 2026
Source: The Indian Express
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