Pawar Family Intensifies Legal Fight Against VSR Ventures Over Fatal Baramati Plane Crash
The DGCA has already grounded four VSR Ventures aircraft over safety non-compliance lapses.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar and his cousin Yugendra Pawar on Thursday approached the Baramati Taluka police station seeking registration of an FIR against VSR Ventures in connection with the January 28 plane crash that claimed the life of the then Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The complaint was submitted amid a show of support from party workers demanding justice in the high-profile case.
The move comes a day after Rohit Pawar lodged a similar complaint at the Marine Drive Police Station in Mumbai against the aviation firm and its directors. VSR Ventures operated the ill-fated Learjet 45 aircraft that crashed near Baramati with Ajit Pawar and four others on board. Supporters carrying placards seeking justice accompanied Rohit and Yugendra Pawar as they filed the written complaint with local police.
Speaking to reporters, Yugendra Pawar said the family believes an FIR should be registered against the company and that the investigation must be expedited. He cited findings by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which recently ordered the grounding of four VSR Ventures aircraft for alleged non-compliance with approved procedures relating to airworthiness, safety and flight operations. Yugendra Pawar claimed the regulator’s observations pointed to possible criminal negligence.
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Following the crash, police had initially registered an accidental death report at the Baramati Taluka police station, and the probe was later transferred to the state Crime Investigation Department. Officials indicated that the latest complaint would also be forwarded to the CID in Pune for further examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
Rohit Pawar has repeatedly questioned the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash and on Wednesday alleged that Mumbai Police declined to register an FIR. In a post on social media platform X, he said the police response had deepened suspicions and described the situation as unfortunate for Maharashtra despite demands from elected representatives across party lines.
Notably, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is yet to release its preliminary findings into the crash. Officials said further action in the case may depend on the outcome of the technical investigation, even as political pressure mounts for a criminal probe into the incident.
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