Ajit Pawar’s nephew files complaint in Bengaluru against air crash; says Maharashtra police refused to file FIR

A Zero FIR has been registered at a police station in central Bengaluru based on a complaint by Maharashtra MLA Rohit Rajendra Pawar, alleging a criminal conspiracy behind the death of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a recent plane crash.

“The complainant had approached various police stations in Maharashtra, but they had refused to register an FIR. Hence, a Zero FIR was registered in Bengaluru,” a senior police officer said.

The FIR was registered at the High Grounds Police Station on March 23 and later transferred to the Baramati Rural Police in Maharashtra for further investigation.

Any police station can register a Zero First Information Report when the crime has not taken place under its jurisdiction, and transfer it to the appropriate police station.

Crash background

Ajit Pawar and four others were killed on January 28, 2026, when a Bombardier Learjet 45 (VT-SSK), operated by VSR Ventures Private Limited, crashed near Baramati Airport in Pune district while flying from Mumbai.

In the complaint filed under Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Rohit Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s nephew, stated that he had earlier approached the Marine Drive and Baramati police stations in February, but no FIR was registered. He also claimed that the Pune CID was examining only the Accidental Death Report (ADR) angle, prompting him to seek a broader criminal probe independent of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

Allegations of conspiracy

The complainant alleged that the crash was the result of a “larger criminal conspiracy” aimed at eliminating the senior leader. The FIR claims there were systematic violations of aviation safety norms, falsification of records, and gross negligence in maintenance and operations that directly led to the deaths.

The complaint cited findings of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which reportedly found VSR aircraft to be negligent and not airworthy, leading to their grounding during the investigation.

According to the FIR, the aircraft was operated close to its mandatory engine overhaul limit of 5,000 flight hours. It allegedly under-reported flight hours, with claims suggesting that actual usage may have exceeded 8,000 hours. Certification records showed anomalies, including the issuance of an airworthiness certificate prior to aircraft registration, alleged the FIR. The complainant also raised concerns about the aircraft’s prior use abroad, stating it had been retired from service in the United States before being inducted into operations in India.

Weather and landing

The FIR highlighted discrepancies in visibility at the time of landing. While informal assessments suggested visibility of 3,000 metres, official METAR data reportedly indicated around 2,000 metres with mist — below the minimum required for Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

Despite this, landing clearance was allegedly granted, raising questions over regulatory compliance and operational decision-making.

Mr. Rohit Pawar alleged that the originally scheduled crew was replaced at the last minute citing “traffic delays,” which he termed implausible. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumit Kapoor, who, according to the complaint, had a history of alcohol-related violations and prior suspension by the DGCA.

The FIR also mentions that in the final moments before the crash, the co-pilot issued a distress exclamation, while the chief pilot remained silent with no emergency call or corrective action.

The complaint flagged multiple “unusual factors”, such as a delay of around 70 minutes in departure, a last-minute runway change before landing, etc.

The FIR also quoted a DGCA safety audit report declaring and admitting that aircraft of the VSR company were found to be negligent, not airworthy and therefore were grounded. 

“Aircraft VT-SSK was being operated in systematic violation of mandatory safety standards. More gravely, investigation has revealed that VSR allegedly under-recorded the aircraft’s actual flight hours in official logbooks. Credible information suggests the aircraft may have, in fact, accumulated flight hours in excess of 8,000 hours, far beyond its certified safe operational limits,” the FIR noted. 

Published – March 24, 2026 11:32 pm IST