Rohit Pawar Unveils Allegations of Cover-Up in Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Investigation
Serious Allegations Against Aviation Authorities
Mumbai: On Wednesday, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar launched a fierce critique of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), accusing them of orchestrating a significant cover-up regarding the plane crash that resulted in the death of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, on January 28.
This press conference marks the third occasion Rohit Pawar has addressed the media about this incident, following earlier briefings on February 10 and 19.
During his presentation, he showcased video evidence and screenshots, asserting that the official report is filled with inaccuracies and seems tailored to protect powerful individuals and the aviation firm, VSR.
Rohit Pawar expressed grave concerns about the investigation's integrity, stating, "I hold no personal animosity towards VSR or the DGCA, but it is clear that someone is manipulating the DGCA to shield these companies."
He raised a critical question: "Is this a 'save-the-guilty' initiative orchestrated by a powerful figure? If that is the case, the truth regarding whether Ajit Dada’s death was an accident or a conspiracy will remain hidden."
Pawar pointed out numerous technical inconsistencies in the AAIB report, particularly concerning flight hours and fuel levels.
While the report indicates that the aircraft had remaining flight hours, he contended that the plane had surpassed its official engine life by over 3,000 hours.
He noted, "The aircraft was said to have 90-95 percent fuel capacity," questioning the rationale behind loading such a large amount of fuel if the flight plan was standard, suggesting it could have been intentional.
Additionally, he highlighted a discrepancy regarding the aircraft's tilt during the crash. Using footage from the incident, he remarked, "The report claims the plane banked to the right, but the video clearly shows it tilting to the left. If they can't even accurately report the direction of the fall, how can we trust the rest of the findings?"
Rohit Pawar criticized the investigators' professionalism, pointing out that the official report mistakenly refers to Baramati as a "district" and mislabels the Baramati Municipal Council as a "Municipal Corporation."
"If they can't get basic geographical facts right after a month of investigation, how serious were they about the technical details?" he questioned.
He also noted that the report claims the plane struck trees, while the crash site only had small shrubs that the aircraft never touched.
Pawar alleged that there appears to be a premeditated conspiracy, mentioning that locals reported seeing unidentified individuals surveying the area days prior to the crash.
"We demand that the CBI and CID investigate the criminal aspect. When we approach the CID, they claim they are waiting for the DGCA report. However, this report is riddled with inconsistencies," he stated.
He further questioned the omission of the investigation team members' names from the final report, which deviates from standard practices observed in previous crash investigations.
Rohit Pawar also raised concerns about the decision to operate in low visibility conditions, referencing the Tyagi Committee recommendations that prohibit VIP flights under such circumstances.
He called for an FIR against officials from 'Aero', alleging they provided false information regarding weather conditions.
In conclusion, Rohit Pawar emphasized that the lack of Black Box images in the report further indicates that facts are being manipulated to mislead the public.