Rohit Pawar questions Ajit Pawar plane crash, seeks probe

Rohit Pawar, nephew of the late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has publicly voiced strong suspicions regarding the circumstances of the January 28, 2026, plane crash that claimed Ajit Pawar's life. Addressing a press conference on February 10, 2026, Rohit Pawar presented a detailed account, emphasizing that he believes the incident was not an accident but a conspiracy. He urged for a comprehensive investigation by credible international agencies such as the AAIB (UK), BEA, and NTSB, in addition to the government's inquiry. During the press conference, Rohit Pawar detailed a timeline of events on the fateful day, noting discrepancies and raising technical questions. He pointed out the unavailability of transponder details for the last minute of the flight, questioning why it was shut down at 8:43 AM. Furthermore, he raised concerns about the absence of recorded main pilot's voice and the alleged closure of the aircraft's transponder. Rohit Pawar also brought attention to the maintenance and airworthiness of the aircraft, citing an eyewitness account of the plane making unusual sounds. He questioned the whereabouts of the aircraft's technical log and airworthiness report, and who conducted its routine check-ups. He stressed the importance of investigating those who performed these inspections and generated the reports. His concerns were amplified by the fact that the aircraft involved was operated by VSR Ventures, a company that had a similar Learjet 45 plane crash in September 2023 at Mumbai airport. The investigation into that earlier crash was reportedly in its final stages, and questions have been raised about the delay in its final report. Adding to the suspicion, Rohit Pawar mentioned that Ajit Pawar was generally cautious about flying and that the travel schedule for the fateful day had been changed last minute. Ajit Pawar was reportedly supposed to travel on January 27 but postponed his journey after meeting with a prominent leader. Rohit Pawar's allegations have resonated with other political figures who have also expressed doubts about the crash. Earlier, NCP (SP) MP Bajrang Sonawane had raised the possibility of a bomb being planted on the plane, and NCP legislator Amol Mitkari had questioned the number of people on board and the change of pilot at the last minute. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut had called for a court-monitored probe. While Ajit Pawar's uncle, Sharad Pawar, had initially termed the incident an accident, the family's collective doubts, now articulated by Rohit Pawar, suggest a deeper undercurrent of suspicion and a demand for transparent answers. The broader political context also includes discussions about the merger of NCP factions and Ajit Pawar's vision for family unity, which Rohit Pawar also intends to address in subsequent press conferences. The article is based on the press conference held by Rohit Pawar on February 10, 2026, where he detailed his doubts and concerns about the plane crash that killed Ajit Pawar. The information is corroborated by multiple news sources reporting on Rohit Pawar's statements and the ongoing investigations into the crash. The crash occurred on January 28, 2026, near Baramati, Maharashtra.. The aircraft was a Learjet 45XR operated by VSR Ventures.. The AAIB is investigating the crash, and has stated that the probe into a similar VSR Ventures crash from September 2023 is in its final stages.

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