Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday that the state government had requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the plane crash that killed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar last month.
Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the Maharashtra legislature’s budget session, Fadnavis said the Mahayuti government would ensure that all doubts surrounding the plane crash are cleared.
“I had received a letter from the NCP [an ally of the BJP]seeking a CBI probe into the air crash and spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah,” he was quoted by news agency. PTI as saying.
“Along with investigations by the DGCA [Directorate General of Civil Aviation] and state CID [Criminal Investigation Department]there will be a probe by the CBI,” Fadnavis reportedly added.
Ajit Pawar killed in plane crash
Ajit Pawar and four others on board a chartered plane were killed when it crashed while attempting to land near Baramati in Pune district on 28 January.
The late NCP chief’s nephew and NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar has raised several allegations regarding the plane crash circumstances and suspected foul play.
On Saturday, Rohit Pawar wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that the Civil Aviation Minister, K Rammohan Naidu, be asked to resign until the inquiry into the incident is completed.
He also raised questions about the company VSR, which owned the ill-fated Learjet 45 aircraft, and its purported links to Naidu.
Meanwhile, Fadnavis added that the DGCA was conducting an audit of the VSR Company and all its logbooks were being checked.
“We have to wait for the probe report and avoid speculation. There may be doubts that have to be referred to the appropriate authority. We will also ensure a regular follow-up of the investigation. I feel the DGCA and civil aviation ministry have nothing to hide,” he said.
Noting the probe is important for the safety of all political leaders, Fadnavis recalled that he had traveled on the VSR plane several times.
Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, who was also present at the presser with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, said, “We have requested a CBI probe into the air crash and the chief minister has assured a thorough investigation.”
Fadnavis also took a swipe at the Opposition after leaders of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) skipped the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) meeting on the eve of the state Budget session, which is likely to witness intense debates on Ajit Pawar’s plane crash and other issues.
The Opposition boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Fadnavis, claiming the state government had not expressed any regret over the potential impact of the Indo-US trade deal on cotton growers and fishermanfolk from Maharashtra.
