Aviation – Questions Intensify Over Baramati Jet Crash That Killed Ajit Pawar

Aviation – The investigation into the fatal aircraft crash near Baramati that claimed the life of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others has taken a new turn, after the family of a cabin crew member alleged that the aircraft operator attempted to discourage them from speaking publicly about the tragedy.

Family Alleges Pressure From Aircraft Operator

Karan Mali, brother of flight attendant Pinky Mali who died in the crash, has claimed that he received a WhatsApp call from VSR company owner VK Singh on February 28. According to Karan, the call was made in connection with statements his father had given to the media regarding the incident.

Speaking to news agency IANS, Karan said Singh spoke in a raised voice and questioned him about the remarks being made publicly by his family. Karan added that he offered to share his father’s contact details so Singh could speak with him directly, but Singh allegedly declined and instead asked him to convey a message to his father.

Karan Mali stated that the conversation made the family feel they were being pressured to limit their interaction with journalists. He also alleged that Singh advised him to avoid making what he described as “loose statements” to the media.

Warning Against Media Interaction

According to Karan, Singh suggested that speaking to reporters would not help the family and asked whether the media could compensate them or reverse the loss caused by the crash. He further claimed that Singh insisted the family refrain from giving any public statements about the incident.

Karan also said Singh mentioned he would meet him when he visited Mumbai in the future. The call, according to Karan, left the family concerned about attempts to influence the narrative surrounding the crash.

Support From Political Leaders

The Mali family has reportedly sought assistance from Rohit Pawar, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), in connection with the ongoing investigation into the crash.

Rohit Pawar later raised questions about the circumstances of the accident and statements attributed to the aircraft operator. He suggested that attempts were being made to place responsibility for the crash on the pilot before the investigation had reached a clear conclusion.

Investigation by CID Continues

Officials from the Crime Investigation Department (CID) have confirmed that VK Singh was questioned recently as part of the probe into the accident. Authorities recorded his statement last week, though investigators have not publicly disclosed the details of that interaction.

The aircraft involved in the crash was a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures. The jet went down near the Baramati airstrip in Pune district on January 28, killing Ajit Pawar and four other individuals, including crew members.

Questions Raised Over Preliminary Reports

Rohit Pawar has also raised concerns regarding the early findings linked to the investigation. In a statement shared on social media platform X, he said the inquiry into the crash remains ongoing and that it is difficult to determine the reliability of the preliminary report reportedly prepared by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

He noted that conflicting information has surfaced regarding the aircraft’s black box recorder. Some reports have suggested the device was severely damaged in the crash, while others claim that usable data has been successfully retrieved.

According to Pawar, investigating agencies have not yet provided clear public confirmation about the data contained in the recorder.

Calls for Transparency in the Investigation

Referring to media reports about a submission allegedly made by VK Singh to the CID, Pawar questioned how conclusions about pilot error could be drawn if the contents of the black box had not been fully disclosed.

He suggested that assigning responsibility prematurely could indicate an attempt to shift blame without waiting for official findings from investigators.

Pawar also urged the public to avoid speculation until authorities release verified and comprehensive information about the accident. He emphasized that credible evidence from investigators would be necessary before determining the cause of the crash.

The inquiry into the Baramati aviation accident remains underway, with investigators expected to analyze flight data, technical records, and witness accounts before issuing a final report.