Mumbai: Was the ill-fated Learjet carrying Ajit Pawar and four others that crashed at Baramati, carrying additional fuel tanks illegally?
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has demanded a comprehensive investigation by an independent agency, including a foreign aviation body, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Rohit, a nephew of Ajit Pawar, raised questions regarding the maintenance practices of VSR Ventures, the company that owned the Learjet 45 aircraft involved in the crash.
The firm illegally carried additional fuel tanks to cut costs and that internal communications contained repeated warnings to the pilot regarding his drinking habits, he alleged.
“Did the plane carry excess fuel tanks? CCTV footage should be scanned to see if they did. Such an act also acts as a bomb,” Rohit said.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has revoked VSR’s authorisation due to safety concerns, Rohit claimed. The firm allegedly failed to respond to EASA regarding a September 2023 crash in Mumbai, he said.
The MLA claimed that despite these concerns, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) did not initiate action against the firm. VSR Ventures enjoys a monopoly in the Indian charter aviation sector as it possesses the highest number of Learjet aircraft in the country, he further said.
VSR Ventures owner V K Singh rejected Rohit Pawar’s allegations.
“It was a very unfortunate acci
dent which should not have taken place. We lost one of the most important persons of Maharashtra,” Singh told the newspaper.
Deceased pilot, Sumit Kapoor, had allegedly failed pre-flight alcohol tests in 2010 and 2017, Rohit said, questioning why the primary pilots, Sahil Madan and Yash, were replaced at the “eleventh hour” allegedly due to traffic.
“Why was the primary pilot replaced? … Was he under the influence of alcohol when he boarded the flight?” Rohit asked.
VSR Ventures holds a monopoly on Learjet aircraft in India and employs former DGCA officials, suggesting undue influence over the regulator, he alleged.
Rohit proposed that international agencies such as the US National Transportation Safety Board be involved in the probe and demanded a Pawar family member be present during the analysis of the aircraft’s black box data.
Singh, however, stated that Kapoor had flown Pawar to Baramati on January 24.
“The aircraft had flown many VVIPs and even the deputy CM of Maharashtra Ajit Pawarji on January 24. It had taken off as planned at around 8 am from Mumbai airport,” he said.
“We are fully cooperating with the government for all the investigation,” Singh said.
“We are equally waiting for the findings of the final investigation report of the 2023 accident in Mumbai and the preliminary report of the Baramati crash so that we all get to know the real cause leading to them,” he added.
The DGCA, on Tuesday, announced a special safety audit of non-scheduled operators.
“Consequent to accident of M/s VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd Learjet 45 aircraft VT-SSK on 28 Jan 2026 at Baramati, DGCA orders special safety audit of non-scheduled operators in a phased manner covering larger operators first, commenced from 4 Feb 2026; including M/s VSR Ventures,” the regulator said on X.