The political storm surrounding the January 28 plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has intensified after NCP MLA Amol Mitkari likened the incident to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and questioned whether the pilot, Captain Sumit Kapoor, was a “suicide bomber,” triggering renewed debate over the circumstances of the tragedy and the ongoing investigation.
Rajiv Gandhi comparison and questions over pilot spark controversy
Nearly a month after the fatal crash at Baramati Airport in Pune district, the circumstances of Ajit Pawar’s death continue to fuel political controversy. The accident, which occurred on the evening of January 28, claimed the lives of five people, including the Deputy Chief Minister. The aircraft, a Learjet 45XR owned by VSR Ventures, went down shortly after departure, leading to immediate speculation and demands for a thorough probe.
Amol Mitkari, an MLA from the NCP Ajit Pawar faction, raised provocative questions during a public event at the Murli Dhar Raut Mitra Mandal’s Shiv Jayanti programme in Paras Fata, Balapur taluka of Akola district. He questioned whether Ajit Pawar had been killed in a manner similar to the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991 by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in a suicide bombing.
Mitkari asked whether Captain Sumit Kapoor, who was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash, could have been a suicide bomber. He also questioned reports surrounding the pilot’s death, stating that if Kapoor’s wife was claiming he was alive, then doubts naturally arise about whether he had in fact died in the crash. His remarks introduced a new layer of controversy into an already sensitive investigation.
He further asked how Maharashtra could remain calm if there was a “big secret” behind the crash. His comments were widely discussed, as they suggested the possibility of foul play rather than a mere aviation accident. The analogy to Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination added emotional and political weight to his statements, as that event remains one of the most significant political assassinations in India’s history.
The LTTE, or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, was a Sri Lankan separatist organization founded in 1976 by Velupillai Prabhakaran. The group sought to establish an independent Tamil state in northern and eastern Sri Lanka and was responsible for several high-profile attacks before it was defeated in 2009. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber during an election rally in Tamil Nadu in May 1991. By invoking this comparison, Mitkari implied that the plane crash could have been more than an accident.
The crash itself occurred on January 28 in Baramati when the aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar and four others went down. All five onboard, including the Deputy Chief Minister, were killed. Since then, questions have persisted about the technical and operational aspects of the flight, with multiple political leaders calling for transparency.
Family members and political leaders demand deeper investigation
The controversy surrounding the crash has not been limited to Mitkari’s remarks. Rohit Pawar, an MLA from the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Ajit Pawar’s nephew, recently held a press conference in Delhi where he displayed data and photographs related to the crash. He alleged that there were suspicious aspects concerning the aircraft’s black box and suggested that the incident may have involved multiple explosions rather than a single impact.
Rohit Pawar claimed that extra petrol cans had been placed in the aircraft’s cargo area, potentially contributing to the fire and severity of the crash. According to him, all aspects of the incident should be investigated comprehensively and transparently. His remarks further fueled speculation that the accident might have involved negligence or conspiracy.
The aircraft involved in the crash belonged to VSR Ventures Private Limited, a New Delhi-based non-scheduled air operator that provides private jet charters, medical evacuation services, and aviation consultancy. The Learjet 45XR, categorized as a super-light business jet, was built in the 1990s and is known for corporate and high-speed travel.
Rohit Pawar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging them to ensure justice in the case. In his letter, he requested immediate action concerning Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, raising questions about alleged links between VSR and political entities. He called for an independent and impartial investigation, suggesting that even international agencies could be involved if necessary.
He also argued that Ram Mohan Naidu should resign from his ministerial position until the investigation is completed, citing concerns over possible conflicts of interest. According to Rohit Pawar, influential individuals from both industry and politics may be connected to the VSR case, raising fears that the probe could be influenced. He specifically requested that the role of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation be examined without pressure or interference.
Earlier, on February 19, Ajit Pawar’s son Jay Pawar expressed concerns through a social media post. He stated that black boxes in plane crashes are not easily destroyed and emphasized the people of Maharashtra’s right to know the complete, transparent, and unquestionable truth behind the tragedy. He called for restrictions on VSR Ventures’ flights and demanded a full and impartial investigation into possible maintenance lapses. His message also included an emotional tribute to his father.
On February 10, Rohit Pawar had already suggested that a conspiracy might be involved in the crash, questioning the records and background of Captain Sumit Kapoor. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation launched a special safety audit of VSR Ventures and other non-scheduled operators. The audit, initiated on February 2, is scheduled to continue until February 25, reflecting regulatory concern over safety compliance.
The sequence of events began on January 28, when Ajit Pawar and four others died in the crash in Baramati. Following the tragedy, Ajit Pawar’s wife and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to demand a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the case. The demand for a CBI investigation underscores the family’s insistence on an inquiry that is seen as independent and beyond state-level mechanisms.
As political leaders, family members, and regulatory authorities continue to raise questions and conduct reviews, the Baramati plane crash remains a matter of intense scrutiny, debate, and emotional resonance across Maharashtra and beyond.
