New Delhi: Political tensions escalated following the fatal plane crash in Baramati that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, with his nephew Rohit Pawar demanding the resignation of Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu.
Rohit Pawar, an MLA from the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), led a protest and called for a police case to be registered in connection with the crash. Alleging financial links between the minister’s party and the aviation company involved, he said the Union Minister should step down pending a thorough investigation.
“We are demanding the resignation of the Union Civil Aviation Minister. His party has proven financial links to the company involved. He should not remain in his post,” Rohit Pawar said.
Allegations of Political Protection
Rohit Pawar also claimed that the company at the centre of the controversy — VSR — was being shielded due to its connections with influential political figures.
“The owner of VSR company is close to very powerful leaders. Many people in Maharashtra are connected to this. There is a clear attempt to protect VSR because some ‘big personality’ is involved,” he alleged.
The crash, which occurred in Baramati on January 28, has triggered widespread political debate, with questions raised about accountability and the transparency of the investigation.
Emotional Tribute to Ajit Pawar
Speaking about his personal bond with his uncle, Rohit Pawar described Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar as a guiding force in his political journey.
“Dada raised me like a son; he gave me my first Zilla Parishad and MLA tickets. His last wish was to reunite with Sharad Pawar saheb. I saw tears in his eyes when he spoke to Pawar saheb recently,” he said, reflecting on the late leader’s final days.
Call for Criminal Investigation Beyond Technical Probe
Rohit Pawar questioned the scope of the ongoing investigation, distinguishing between technical and criminal inquiries.
“The public needs to know what the CID has done so far. The AAIB only looks at technical angles, not the criminal angle,” he said, referring to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
He also mentioned that Ajit Pawar’s son Jay had raised concerns on social media regarding the aircraft’s black box data. Meanwhile, Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife, has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“Everyone is fighting in their own way,” Rohit Pawar said.
CID Takes Over Investigation
Given the gravity of the accident, the probe has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Pune Police. The CID is now examining multiple aspects of the case.
Additional Director General of Police Sunil Ramanand outlined the scope of the investigation during a press conference.
“The investigation is examining whether there was any foul play or sabotage behind these accidental deaths. A second aspect of the probe involves investigating whether criminal negligence contributed to the incident. The third dimension of the investigation is looking into whether this was part of a criminal conspiracy,” he said.
Ramanand added that once the AAIB’s technical report is submitted, its findings will be incorporated into the broader criminal investigation.
Investigation Expands on Multiple Fronts
Authorities have clarified that the probe will proceed on three tracks — technical analysis, potential criminal negligence, and possible conspiracy. The inclusion of the AAIB’s findings is expected to provide clarity on mechanical or operational factors, while the CID will continue to examine possible criminal liability.
The tragic death of a senior political leader has intensified calls for accountability, transparency, and an impartial investigation, with political and public pressure mounting in Maharashtra.