Pune: Parth Pawar Faces Row After Flying in VSR Aircraft Linked to Ajit Pawar Crash, Calls Flight Booking ‘Administrative Mistake’

Pune, 29th April 2026: NCP leader and Rajya Sabha member Parth Ajit Pawar on Tuesday landed in a controversy after he travelled from Mumbai to Pune in an aircraft operated by VSR Ventures, the same aviation company linked to the January 28 crash in which his father former Deputy CM Ajit Pawar died, triggering political criticism and questions on social media.

Parth had flown to Pune along with four others to attend a family gathering hosted by his granduncle and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar. Parth’s travel in a VSR aircraft came on the very day party workers and supporters of Ajit Pawar were paying tributes to the late leader, as Monday marked three months since his death in the plane crash.

The development came on a day when NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar visited the CID office in Pune to review the progress of the probe into the fatal crash. Speaking to reporters, Rohit criticised the police for not taking action against the owners of VSR Ventures even three months after the incident.

The matter drew wider attention after social activist Anjali Damania shared details of Parth’s journey on social media. Following the backlash, Parth issued a clarification on X, calling the episode an “administrative mistake”.

“I had asked my office to arrange air travel from Mumbai to Pune for my visit to Sharad Pawar Saheb’s residence. Since the booking was made at the last minute, my staff mistakenly booked an aircraft belonging to VSR. I was unaware that the aircraft belonged to them until I reached it,” Parth said.

He added that he had taken serious note of the lapse, terminated the arrangement with the booking agent involved and directed his office staff to ensure such an error is not repeated.

While Rohit Pawar has been publicly demanding justice in the crash case and Parth’s younger brother Jay Pawar has also backed that stand, Parth came under scrutiny over Tuesday’s travel arrangement.

Responding to criticism, Parth said his stand against the aviation company had not changed.

“I am against VSR, and that position will continue. It is unfortunate that some people are trying to create controversy without knowing the facts,” he said.