MaharashtraPlaneCrash – Rohit Pawar Questions CID Handling of Key Witness
MaharashtraPlaneCrash – Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar on Friday raised concerns over how the Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department conducted the questioning of V K Singh, the owner of VSR Ventures, in connection with the January 28 aircraft crash in Baramati that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others.
The aircraft involved in the accident was a Learjet 45 operated by Singh’s company. Singh appeared before the CID at its Pune office on Thursday, where officials recorded his statement during a session that lasted more than seven hours.
Questions Raised Over Nature of Interrogation
Rohit Pawar alleged that the manner in which Singh was treated during the questioning raised doubts about the seriousness of the investigation. According to the MLA, Singh reached the CID office around 11 am and remained there for several hours, reportedly close to eight. However, Pawar suggested that the time may not have been fully spent on questioning.
In a message posted on social media, he claimed that Singh appeared to have received unusual hospitality during his visit. Pawar said there were reports that the businessman was treated more like a guest than a person being questioned in a major investigation.
He further stated that Singh was later escorted away from the CID premises in a police vehicle with black-tinted windows, which he described as unusual for someone being examined in connection with a fatal aviation incident.
Concerns Over Delay in FIR Registration
Pawar also criticized the authorities for not registering a First Information Report related to the crash despite repeated demands. He argued that the lack of a formal FIR raised additional concerns about the progress of the investigation.
According to him, the situation appeared contradictory. While no FIR had been filed in a case involving the death of a senior political leader and four others, the owner of the aircraft involved was allegedly treated with special consideration during questioning.
Pawar publicly questioned who might be responsible for such treatment and whether the investigation was being influenced in any way.
Media Treatment Also Questioned
The NCP leader also expressed concern about the treatment of journalists who had gathered outside the CID office to report on the questioning. He claimed that several media personnel were handled roughly by police officials while attempting to cover the development.
According to Pawar, such incidents create unnecessary tension and raise questions about transparency in high-profile investigations.
Investigation Shifted to State CID
Immediately after the crash, local police in Baramati registered an accidental death report at the Baramati Taluka police station. The case was later transferred to the CID in Pune for a more detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Officials from the state agency have stated that their investigation is examining multiple angles, including the possibility of sabotage or criminal negligence.
As part of this process, investigators had earlier sent a list of questions to VSR Ventures seeking details related to the aircraft’s operations, maintenance, and other technical aspects.
Preliminary Aviation Report Highlights Safety Issues
Before Singh’s questioning, Rohit Pawar had already expressed suspicion that attempts might be made to shield the company involved in operating the aircraft. He pointed to findings in a preliminary investigation conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
The bureau’s initial report, spanning 22 pages, highlighted several concerns related to conditions at the time of the crash. It noted that visibility at the airport was below the required operational level during the landing attempt.
Investigators also flagged the condition of the runway. According to the report, the runway markings had faded significantly, making them difficult to identify under low-visibility conditions. In addition, loose gravel was reportedly found on parts of the runway surface.
These factors, the report suggested, may have contributed to the sequence of events leading to the fatal crash. Authorities have said the investigation remains ongoing and further technical analysis will be required before final conclusions are reached.