23 February,2026 04:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
NCP (SP) legislator Rohit Pawar speaks to the media in the Vidhan Bhavan premises on Monday. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) legislator Rohit Pawar on Monday said that if a superficial investigation is conducted into the death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the "Marathi Manoos (the people of Maharashtra)" will show their strength, news agency IANS reported.
He questioned the progress made in the probe over the past month and pointed out that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is already burdened with a large number of pending cases.
Speaking to reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan, Rohit Pawar said that leaders such as Amol Mitkari, Rupali Thombare, and several grassroots workers have consistently raised questions regarding the circumstances surrounding Ajit Pawar's death.
Referring to the pilot involved in the crash, he said discussions had already taken place on the matter.
"I desire a transparent investigation. While the case has been handed over to the CBI, what have the investigators already probed in the last month? Have they seized CCTV footage? Has the necessary criminal investigation been conducted? A deep inquiry is essential. So far, only two superficial reports have been submitted," Rohit Pawar claimed.
He further alleged that he possesses evidence regarding links between people in power and VSR, the aviation entity, including details of ministers' associations with it.
While welcoming the CBI probe, he expressed scepticism, noting that 7,075 cases of the agency remain unresolved. He likened the situation to "putting cases on ice" and stressed that a specific time frame must be set for the CBI to complete the investigation, IANS reported.
Rohit Pawar said he has prepared a formal letter to the chief minister and will seek an appointment to submit it along with the evidence.
"Reports have already been sent to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the DGCA. Seventy per cent of the information is still being withheld by them. We do not want to play politics; we only demand that the investigation be conducted properly," he said.
He also claimed to have evidence regarding the extent of damage to the Black Box and reiterated that the Marathi people would not remain silent if the probe turned out to be a mere formality.
On the Rajya Sabha Elections, Rohit Pawar referred to granduncle Sharad Pawar's six-decade political career, saying his experience benefits both Maharashtra and the country. He added that even Ajit Pawar had previously expressed such a desire, and that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, including Sanjay Raut, have voiced similar views about Sharad Pawar entering the Rajya Sabha.
"A final decision will be made after Sharad Pawar arrives in Mumbai and discusses the matter with MVA leaders," he said.
Paying tribute to the late leader, Rohit Pawar said he would continue to fight to uncover the truth.
"Maharashtra deserves to know what exactly transpired. Ajit Dada used to tease me with his witty remarks. He was a leader who carried himself with great style. He was always the first to arrive at Assembly sessions and the last to leave. We have lost a disciplined, experienced Marathi leader. No matter what happens, we will keep fighting and raising the issues of the people," he added.
(With IANS inputs)
