Pinky Mali's father Shivkumar Mali said that the truth must come out and that his daughter should receive justice. He also said he found substance in the suspicions expressed by Rohit Pawar and NCP legislator Amol Mitkari
Pinky Mali lived in Thane with her husband. File Pic
A day after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) MLA Rohit Pawar raised questions about the Baramati air crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the father of flight attendant Pinky Mali has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident, reported the PTI.
Pinky Mali was among the five people who died in the crash on January 28.
Speaking to PTI, Shivkumar Mali said both possibilities — accident and sabotage — must be examined.
“Whether it was an accident or sabotage, both aspects should be investigated by the government,” he said.
He added that the truth must come out and that his daughter should receive justice. He also said he found substance in the suspicions expressed by Rohit Pawar and NCP legislator Amol Mitkari, according to the PTI.
Questions over last-minute changes
Mali said his daughter was flying with Ajit Pawar for the fifth time when the crash occurred.
Referring to media reports, he claimed that both the aircraft and the pilot were changed at the last minute. He urged investigating agencies to examine these developments carefully.
He also questioned the explanation given by the private company that the pilot was replaced because the original pilot was stuck in traffic.
“There is usually no heavy traffic on Mumbai roads around 6.30 am,” he said.
He added that the tragedy might not have occurred if an experienced pilot had been flying the aircraft.
Rohit Pawar seeks multi-agency probe
On Tuesday, Rohit Pawar raised several questions about the sequence of events leading up to the crash. He alleged there were reasons to suspect sabotage and called for a comprehensive investigation by multiple expert agencies.
Family background
Pinky Mali lived in Thane with her husband.
According to her father, she had visited her parents in Prabhadevi, central Mumbai, on January 15 to cast her vote in the civic body elections.
Investigations into the crash are ongoing.
Rohit Pawar questions last-minute changes, suspects sabotage
Rohit Pawar had on Tuesday questioned last-minute changes and suspected sabotage angle in Ajit Pawar's death.
Rohit Pawar made a detailed presentation to address doubts surrounding the circumstances in the plane crash near Baramati last month.
The late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed in an airplane crash on January 28, 2026.
Speaking at a press conference after the presentation, Rohit Pawar raised questions about last-minute changes in Ajit Pawar’s travel plans.
Rohit Pawar said that his uncle Ajit Pawar was originally scheduled to travel from Mumbai to Pune on the evening of January 27, and his convoy was also ready. However, a meeting with a senior leader delayed him, leading to a change in plans and travel being shifted to the morning of January 28.
Rohit Pawar said that Ajit Pawar was always cautious about flying and avoided unnecessary risks. Although he reached the airport on time, the flight departed late, he added.
Rohit Pawar raises sabotage suspicions angle
Rohit Pawar alleged that there were grounds to suspect sabotage in the air crash that killed his uncle.
He demanded a comprehensive investigation by multiple expert agencies, including international bodies.
Notably, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has earlier ruled out any conspiracy and described the incident as an accident.
Rohit Pawar said the Crime Investigation Department (CID) alone would not have sufficient authority to probe the case thoroughly. He called for an independent investigation involving agencies such as the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis (BEA), the UK-based Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), along with Indian agencies.
He also raised concerns that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) functions under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which could limit the scope of an independent inquiry.
लाईव्ह |📍मुंबई | पत्रकारांशी संवाद |🗓️10-02-2026 https://t.co/9XAKinUZZx
— Rohit Pawar (@RRPSpeaks) February 10, 2026
(with PTI inputs)
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