“Rohit Singh, who owns VSR, has good equations with several leaders, not just from Maharashtra but also from TDP. Several Maharashtra and TDP leaders have attended Rohit’s wedding. The aviation minister is from TDP, who is saying there are no issues with the aircraft. Why shouldn’t we object? Why is VSR still operating? The aviation minister should be shunted out till the investigation is completed. There are those people in VSR who are in cahoots with some people in government,” said Rohit Pawar.
He claimed there was a deliberate attempt to help and “save VSR”. “We have come to know that VSR is fudging documents… Rohit Singh is not even in India, he has been allowed to fly away from the country and we have learnt that he is in the USA. How was he allowed to fly away before the probe was completed,” asked Ajit Pawar’s nephew.
The NCP-SP leader alleged the senior pilot of the Learjet aircraft was facing personal issues and claimed there was a possibility of him being “blackmailed”. “The aircraft was carrying more than enough fuel when flying from Mumbai to Baramati. You don’t need that much fuel, plus fuel was being carried illegally in the aircraft… We suspect the pilot has been used to create an accident. Even when the landing at Baramati airport was not feasible, the pilot tried to land or rather deliberately crashed the plane and created an explosion,” alleged Rohit Pawar.
He also claimed an insurance angle to the crash as the aircraft was for ₹35 crore but was insured for ₹210 crore. According to the NCP-SP leader, the financial motive should also be probed.
Black Box Questions
He also questioned Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s claim that Black Box was damaged. “The Black Box is located in the rear of the aircraft which was not damaged in the fire. The Black Box is supposed to withstand 1,100 degree Celsius… Here they are claiming the Black Box has been damaged but the copper wires near the Black Box are intact… How is that possible?” he said.
