Was Baramati Plane Crash A ‘Conspiracy’? Rohit Pawar Points To Key Factors In Ajit Pawar's Death

Last Updated:February 11, 2026, 12:57 IST

Rohit Pawar demands a transparent probe into Ajit Pawar's plane crash, questioning pilot swapping, technical lapses, and urging international aviation authorities for credibility.

As Maharashtra continues to grieve the loss of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the January 28 aircraft crash in Baramati, his nephew and MLA Rohit Pawar has renewed demands for a thorough and transparent probe, citing multiple aspects of the incident that he says raise serious questions and could point to a possible conspiracy.

Sudden Change In Travel Plans

During a detailed media presentation on Tuesday, Rohit Pawar questioned the sudden change in travel plans. According to him, Ajit Pawar was initially scheduled to travel by road, but the plan was altered at the last minute in favour of a private Learjet operated by VSR Aviation. He asked whether the switch was coincidental or deliberately orchestrated.

Last-Minute Replacement Of Pilots

A key concern raised was the last-minute replacement of both pilots. Rohit Pawar sought clarity on why the originally assigned pilots were changed just before departure and why one of the replacement pilots reportedly returned from Hong Kong immediately prior to the flight. He also questioned whether proper procedures were followed, including mandatory pre-flight medical and alcohol tests.

“Why was the main pilot changed before the flight? Sahil Madan and Yash were replaced at the last minute. Why did Sumit Kapoor return from Hong Kong? Was he under the influence of alcohol when he boarded?" he asked.

Pilot Fitness And Past Record

Referring to the pilot’s past record, he cited earlier instances of failed alcohol tests and missed training sessions allegedly linked to drinking, and called for scrutiny of internal company communications regarding pilot fitness.

Absence Of Distress Call, Inactive Aircraft Transponder

Rohit Pawar further flagged technical and operational issues surrounding the flight. He questioned why no distress call was made before the crash and why the aircraft’s transponder was reportedly not functioning at the time. He asked whether the jet had undergone thorough maintenance checks and who had certified its airworthiness. He also demanded that maintenance records be made public.

In addition, he raised concerns about the aircraft’s age, the operator’s past safety record, and alleged lapses in standard operating procedures. Issues such as pilot duty hours, fuel management policies, maintenance practices, and the functioning of onboard safety warning systems, he said, must be examined in detail. He also questioned why reports from earlier incidents involving the same operator were not disclosed publicly and whether any prior lapses may have contributed to the crash.

Calling for an independent, time-bound probe, Rohit Pawar suggested involving international aviation authorities to ensure credibility. While acknowledging the tragedy, he maintained that only a transparent investigation would address persistent doubts and rule out the possibility of foul play.

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