Rohit Pawar Urges PM Modi to Act Against Civil Aviation Minister, Seeks Independent Probe into Baramati Plane Crash

New Delhi, Feb 2026 : NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) legislator Rohit Pawar on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging immediate action against Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu over what he described as serious unanswered questions surrounding the aircraft crash in Baramati that claimed the life of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on January 28.

In his letter, which was also marked to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Rohit Pawar demanded an independent and competent investigation into the alleged links between the Civil Aviation Minister and VSR Ventures, the company that owned the aircraft involved in the crash. He argued that the seriousness of the allegations and the stature of the victim warranted strict institutional accountability.

“You have always shown respect for Ajit Dada and his contribution to the nation,” Rohit Pawar wrote. “In this context, I request that Shri Rammohan Naidu be asked to resign from his post until the investigation is completed. This step is essential to ensure that there is no influence or interference in examining whether the DGCA was compromised in any manner in relation to VSR Ventures. I trust you will take appropriate action.”

The legislator reiterated concerns he has been raising over the past week, asserting that the role of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) must be scrutinised. He alleged that regulatory oversight may have failed or been influenced in granting clearances to the aircraft operated by VSR Ventures.

Earlier, on February 18, Rohit Pawar had publicly demanded that the Civil Aviation Minister and senior DGCA officials step aside while the matter is investigated. Addressing a press conference, he alleged the existence of a “nexus” involving the ministry, the aviation regulator, and the aircraft-owning company. According to him, the current leadership of the civil aviation sector appeared biased and was attempting to shield VSR Ventures from scrutiny.

Escalating his demands, Rohit Pawar called for the case to be treated as culpable homicide rather than an accidental death. He urged authorities to register a formal FIR against the owners of VSR Ventures as well as the technical personnel who had certified the aircraft’s airworthiness. He claimed that the circumstances of the crash pointed to grave negligence, if not deliberate wrongdoing.

The NCP legislator also pressed for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He argued that because the incident involved a high-profile political leader and fell under a sector regulated by the Union government, the state Criminal Investigation Department lacked both the technical expertise and political independence required for a fair inquiry.

At a subsequent briefing, Rohit Pawar presented what he described as a detailed preliminary report, suggesting that the crash could be the result of a “political or commercial conspiracy.” He alleged that VSR Ventures was being protected by “very influential” political and business interests. He further claimed that some financiers linked to the company had associations with the Telugu Desam Party, raising questions about potential political shielding.

Rohit Pawar questioned why the Civil Aviation Minister issued statements that appeared to absolve the company soon after the crash. “The deeper we go, the clearer it becomes that this company enjoys the backing of powerful people. At this point, only the Prime Minister and the Home Minister can ensure justice for Ajit Dada,” he said.

He also raised concerns about alleged missing technical evidence, claiming that the aircraft’s transponder was switched off during the final minute of the flight. He further alleged that CCTV footage from the hangar was being withheld and that a “backdated” audit was being prepared to protect the company involved.

Appealing for wider political intervention, Rohit Pawar urged Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, to raise the issue in Parliament to prevent what he described as an attempt to suppress the truth.

The January 28 crash in Baramati involved a Learjet 45. Since the incident, Rohit Pawar has conducted a series of briefings highlighting what he claims are technical irregularities, including the alleged use of excess fuel tanks and a last-minute change of the aircraft’s main pilot. He has maintained that only a transparent, independent investigation can provide answers and ensure accountability in the tragic death of Ajit Pawar.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)