Rohit Pawar Questions 20-Day Delay in Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Probe
Nationalist Congress Party MLA Rohit Pawar, son of the late former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has publicly questioned the pace of the investigation into the fatal plane crash that claimed his father's life. On Tuesday, marking 20 days since the incident, the Karjat Jamkhed legislator expressed frustration over what he perceives as a lack of momentum and transparency in the probe.
Allegations of Deliberate Delay and Evidence Tampering
In a strongly worded post on social media platform X, Rohit Pawar raised serious concerns about the investigation's progress. He wrote, "The value of Ajit dada has been understood by ordinary citizens but it still doesn't seem to have dawned on the investigative agencies. 20 days have passed since the unfortunate accident yet the investigation hasn't gained any momentum."
He further questioned whether the delay was accidental or deliberate, speculating if it was intended to allow the VSR company, which operated the aircraft, to destroy evidence or if the company enjoyed protection from influential figures. "Is the delay solely to allow the VSR company to destroy evidence or does the company have someone's protection? This question has arisen in the minds of common citizens," he stated.
Black Box Controversy and Official Response
Rohit Pawar also claimed that the aircraft's black box had been damaged, a detail he suggested aligns with predictions he made five days earlier. However, aviation experts have countered this claim, noting that black boxes are specifically engineered to withstand extreme conditions including high temperatures, heavy impacts, and water immersion to preserve crucial data.
Officially, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that the black box was recovered and that the investigation is proceeding expeditiously. A three-member team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in Delhi and another from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's Mumbai Regional Office reached the crash site on January 28, with AAIB Director General G V G Yugandhar also visiting the same day.
The ministry emphasized that the probe is being conducted in accordance with Rules 5 and 11 of the AAIB Rules, 2025. Despite this, nearly three weeks after the crash, there has been no public update from the DGCA or AAIB, and no preliminary report has been released—a point of contention highlighted by Rohit Pawar, who noted that such a report was expected by now.
Upcoming Press Conference and Public Scrutiny
Rohit Pawar announced plans to hold a press conference within the next two days to further address these issues. His statements reflect growing public and political scrutiny over the handling of the investigation into the crash that killed a prominent political figure.
The lack of official response to the black box damage claim from the DGCA or AAIB has only fueled speculation. As the investigation continues, Rohit Pawar vowed, "We will not rest until we get answers whether it was an accident or a murder in the case of dada!" underscoring the emotional and political stakes involved in this high-profile case.
