A preliminary 22-page report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) noted that visibility at the time of the crash was below the required level
The Baramati crash initially led to an accidental death report being filed at the Baramati Taluka police station. File Pic/Special Arrangement
The Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID) on Thursday questioned senior officials from VSR Ventures, the operator of the Learjet 45 aircraft that crashed near Baramati on January 28, killing Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, reported the PTI.
A CID officer confirmed the questioning but did not disclose further details as the process was still ongoing.
The Baramati crash initially led to an accidental death report being filed at the Baramati Taluka police station.
The case was later transferred to the Pune CID, which is examining whether criminal negligence or sabotage contributed to the tragedy. The CID had earlier sent a set of questions to VSR Ventures as part of its ongoing probe, according to the PTI.
A preliminary 22-page report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) noted that visibility at the time of the crash was below the required level. The report also highlighted safety lapses, including fading runway markings and loose gravel on the airstrip near Baramati.
Family demands action against VSR Ventures
Ajit Pawar’s son, Jay Pawar, recently shared a video on social media allegedly showing Rohit Singh, owner of VSR Ventures, dozing off in the chief pilot’s seat during a flight. Jay Pawar has called for Singh’s immediate arrest and demanded that all VSR Ventures aircraft be grounded until the inquiry is completed, as per the PTI.
NCP allegations
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has accused certain parties of shielding VSR Ventures from scrutiny. He reiterated doubts raised earlier about the official investigation and claimed the AAIB’s preliminary findings vindicate concerns about operational lapses, the news agency reported.
CID's focus of probe
Last month, CID had said that its probe into the Ajit Pawar plane crash in Baramati will examine whether the tragedy was caused by sabotage or criminal negligence, reported the PTI.
The plane crash had claimed the life of Former Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and four others.
Addressing a press conference, Sunil Ramanand, Additional Director General (CID), said the investigation is being carried out in a thorough and professional manner.
“The purpose of the CID probe is to determine whether there was any foul play in the crash. It will also examine whether there was any criminal negligence. Thirdly, the investigation will ascertain whether any criminal act, including illegal omission, led to the incident,” Ramanand said, as per the PTI.
He added that once the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) completes its report, the findings will be incorporated into the CID’s inquiry.
Evidence collected
“We have collected several pieces of evidence,” the official said.
Ramanand further stated that if the probe establishes any criminal angle - including negligence or sabotage - the CID will register a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Given the seriousness of the incident, the state government has also written to the Centre seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), he said.
(with PTI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
