Ajit Pawar Death Case: Rohit Pawar Demands High-Level Inquiry Of Plane Crash, Says VIPs' Lives At Risk

A political storm is gathering in Maharashtra following the fatal plane crash that killed senior leader Ajit Pawar on January 28, with his family and party colleagues pressing for answers and accountability.

Leading the charge is Rohit Pawar, who has called for a sweeping investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. In remarks to ANI, he claimed that VSR was "not functioning well" and warned that the airline is frequently used by high-profile passengers. "What happened on January 28 was deeply unfortunate. We lost our leader," he said, adding that the people of Maharashtra deserve clarity. Rohit Pawar insisted that VSR's operational role be scrutinized and urged investigators to examine a possible criminal angle, including developments on January 27, a day before the crash.

Questions have also been raised within the family. Ajit Pawar's son, Jay Pawar, voiced anguish and suspicion in a social media post. He asked how the aircraft's black box could have been "destroyed so easily" and demanded a transparent and impartial probe. Calling for precautionary action, he sought the suspension of VSR flights until maintenance-related irregularities, if any, are fully examined. He stressed that strict punishment must follow if negligence or wrongdoing is established, ending his message with an emotional tribute: "Miss you Dad."

The demands have found backing within the Nationalist Congress Party. Senior leader Supriya Sule said the entire state remains shaken and supported a detailed inquiry into the concerns raised. Rohit Pawar has also questioned the aircraft's fuel load, suggesting the plane departed with a full tank despite the possibility of refueling in Hyderabad. He hinted at the possibility of overloading and suggested the pilot may have been caught in a larger chain of events.

The push for a high-level probe has now reached the state's top leadership. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Senior party figures, including Praful Patel, Hasan Mushrif, and Parth Pawar, have also sought an independent and comprehensive investigation, intensifying calls for transparency in the wake of the tragedy.