“Was It an Accident or Sabotage?” Rohit Pawar Raises Fresh Questions Over Ajit Pawar Plane Crash
Mumbai/Baramati, 18th February 2026: Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar raised fresh questions over the fatal Baramati plane crash that claimed the life of senior leader Ajit Pawar and four others, asking whether the incident was “an accident or an act of sabotage.”
Addressing the media, Pawar cited phone records, fuel-loading decisions, aircraft maintenance documentation, insurance coverage, and alleged financial pressures as grounds for demanding a deeper, more transparent investigation into the crash.
Pawar claimed that there was a phone conversation between 6:50 pm and 7:05 pm on January 27, shortly before the crash, and urged investigators to scrutinize call data records.
“Who met them on January 27? Who spoke to them minutes before the crash? These are questions that must be answered,” he said, adding that call details could provide critical leads.
Raising concerns about operational decisions, Pawar questioned why the aircraft’s fuel tanks were fully loaded in Mumbai before departure for Baramati if it was scheduled to proceed to Hyderabad afterward.
“If the aircraft was to fly ahead after dropping Dada in Baramati, why completely fill the tanks in Mumbai? Fuel could have been refilled in Hyderabad,” he said. He also argued that cost considerations alone did not justify carrying excess fuel, especially when fuel prices in other states could be lower.
Pawar drew attention to the crash dynamics, stating that the aircraft reportedly struck a hard surface off the runway, which may have intensified the impact. He also questioned the cause and intensity of the explosion, pointing to reports that the aircraft had additional fuel tanks near the lavatory section, where flight data and cockpit voice recorders are typically installed.
Referring to official clarification that the black box was burnt, Pawar cited expert opinions suggesting that flight recorders are designed to withstand temperatures of up to 1,100 degrees Celsius for about an hour and extreme underwater pressure. He further argued that partially burnt documents found at the site raised doubts about the nature and duration of the explosion.
Maintenance and Regulatory Scrutiny:
The MLA also alleged discrepancies in maintenance documentation linked to VSR Company and questioned why the name of the accountable manager had reportedly been removed from the company’s website.
He sought clarification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding notices issued in the matter and compliance with aviation safety norms.
Pawar further claimed that pilot Sumit Kapoor had been flying both jet and legacy aircraft, which he suggested could potentially raise regulatory concerns. “Do not manipulate documents. Any discrepancy in paperwork will not stand scrutiny,” he cautioned.
Highlighting a possible financial dimension, Pawar alleged that while the aircraft’s market value may have been between ₹10–15 crore, it was insured for ₹55 crore, with liability coverage reportedly amounting to ₹210 crore, including compensation for the five deceased individuals.
He questioned whether insurance coverage and financial pressures on the operating company could have played any role in the events leading up to the crash.
Pawar also alleged that influential investors were attempting to shield the company due to substantial investments. He further claimed that the pilot had faced salary cuts and mental stress, and called for an investigation into whether any coercion or blackmail could have been involved.
Authorities have not issued a detailed response to these latest allegations. The investigation into the Baramati plane crash remains ongoing, with multiple aspects of the incident currently under scrutiny.
