Guwahati: Jay Pawar, the younger son of late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has called for a detailed investigation into the January 28 air crash that claimed his father’s life, raising concerns over possible lapses by the aircraft operator.
He stressed that the Learjet 45XR’s black box could not have been destroyed easily and said the people of Maharashtra were entitled to a full and transparent account of the incident. He also demanded that VSR Ventures Private Limited, the company that operated the aircraft, be scrutinised and potentially banned if serious irregularities are found.
Jay Pawar’s appeal came a day after Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and other NCP leaders met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to request a CBI probe into the crash.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said that specialised support has been sought to retrieve data from the cockpit voice recorder of the ill-fated plane.
NCP leader Praful Patel suggested that the aviation company appeared to bear the primary responsibility for the crash, while noting that pilot error could also be a factor. Meanwhile, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar raised concerns about possible sabotage and called for a thorough, multi-agency investigation. He also questioned the credentials of Capt. Sumit Kapoor, the pilot on duty, citing a past three-year suspension over alcohol consumption.
The calls for accountability reflect heightened scrutiny over the crash, which has triggered demands for a transparent and impartial investigation into one of Maharashtra’s deadliest recent aviation accidents.