New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed for patience until the Directorate General of Civil Aviation completes its investigation into the plane crash that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. He said conclusions should be drawn only after experts finish examining all technical and operational aspects of the tragedy.
Fadnavis confirmed that the black box of the Learjet aircraft has already been recovered and that multiple investigative processes have begun. He described the aviation regulator’s inquiry as extremely important and stressed that it would provide clarity on the sequence of events that led to the crash near the Baramati airstrip on January 28.
The Chief Minister was responding to questions about concerns raised by Rohit Pawar, nephew of Ajit Pawar and a sitting legislator. Rohit Pawar has publicly questioned whether sabotage could be involved and demanded a comprehensive investigation by several specialised agencies. Fadnavis said that anyone with doubts has the right to seek answers and that the existing legal mechanisms are fully equipped to conduct such an inquiry.
He also revealed that he was the first to approach the Union aviation ministry requesting a detailed probe soon after the accident. According to him, the findings would help identify possible shortcomings in civil aviation safety and enable the government to take corrective steps to protect passengers and public leaders in the future.
Support for a wider investigation has also come from within the state cabinet. A senior Shiv Sena minister said many people have expressed uncertainty about the incident and that every new piece of information must be carefully examined. He suggested that a high level inquiry by the CBI or another special agency could be considered if required.
Opposition voices have echoed similar concerns. Leaders have argued that the circumstances surrounding the crash deserve close scrutiny and that the state must reflect on the questions placed before the public by Rohit Pawar. They have asked the government to explore all possible angles so that the truth behind the disaster is fully established.
The government has maintained that the ongoing technical investigation remains the most credible path to determine the exact cause of the accident and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
