Parth Pawar, the son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, recently traveled in an aircraft owned by VSR, the same company whose aircraft was involved in the Baramati crash. Upon the matter coming to light, Parth Pawar quickly clarified that it was purely an administrative lapse to book an aircraft belonging to VSR. He stated that the booking agent's contract was being terminated with immediate effect.
The Baramati crash, which occurred earlier, had raised serious safety concerns about VSR's operations. The incident involving Parth Pawar has now sparked further scrutiny. The aircraft used by Parth Pawar was reportedly the same model as the one that crashed, though no technical issues were reported during his flight.
Background of the Baramati Crash
The Baramati crash involved a VSR aircraft that went down under mysterious circumstances, leading to an investigation by aviation authorities. The crash had claimed lives and raised questions about the airline's maintenance and safety protocols. VSR has been under regulatory scrutiny since then.
Parth Pawar's Response
In a statement, Parth Pawar expressed regret over the oversight. He emphasized that the booking was made without his knowledge of the company's involvement in the crash. 'It was an administrative lapse on part of my team. I have ordered an immediate termination of the booking agent's contract,' he said.
The opposition has criticized the Pawar family, questioning their judgment and safety priorities. However, supporters argue that the incident was an honest mistake and that swift action was taken to rectify it.
Implications for VSR
The incident has brought VSR back into the spotlight. The company, already under investigation for the Baramati crash, now faces additional reputational damage. Aviation experts have called for a thorough review of VSR's operations and a possible suspension of its license pending investigation outcomes.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has assured a fair probe into the crash and any related incidents. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to release a detailed report soon.
