The Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID) on Thursday questioned V K Singh, owner of VSR Ventures, which operated the Learjet 45 aircraft that crashed near the Baramati air strip in Pune district on January 28, killing deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others. A CID officer confirmed that Singh’s statement was being recorded, though no further details were disclosed.
Following the crash, an accidental death report was initially filed at Baramati Taluka police station, before the case was transferred to the Pune CID. The investigation is focused on determining whether sabotage or criminal negligence contributed to the tragedy.
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Sources said that days before the questioning, the CID had sent a set of questions to VSR Ventures regarding the aircraft’s operations and safety protocols. NCP MLA Rohit Pawar claimed that there were attempts to shield VSR Ventures, stating that preliminary findings by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) supported his earlier concerns.
The 22-page preliminary AAIB report highlighted that visibility at the time of the crash was below the minimum required level. It also noted fading runway markings and the presence of loose gravel, which may have affected the aircraft’s landing and contributed to the accident.
In the wake of the probe, Jay Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s son, shared a video on social media suggesting that Rohit Singh, son of V K Singh, was seen dozing off in the chief pilot’s seat during a flight. He demanded Rohit Singh’s immediate arrest and called for all VSR Ventures aircraft to be grounded until the inquiry into his father’s crash is completed.
The investigation into the Baramati crash continues, with authorities closely examining both operational and safety aspects of VSR Ventures’ aircraft fleet.
