Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis announced on Sunday that the state government has formally requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the plane crash that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on January 28, news agency PTI reported.
Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the Maharashtra Legislature`s Budget Session, Fadnavis said the Mahayuti government is committed to clearing all doubts surrounding the incident.
“I received a letter from the NCP (an ally of the BJP) demanding a CBI probe into the air crash and discussed it with Home Minister Amit Shah. In addition to the ongoing investigations by the DGCA and state CID, there will now be a CBI probe,” he stated.
VIDEO | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) speaks on progress of investigation in fatal plane crash involving late Ajit Pawar. #AjitPawar #PlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/LB0cJdoMv2
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Pawar and four others were killed when their chartered Learjet 45 aircraft crashed while attempting to land near Baramati in Pune district.
His nephew and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) legislator Rohit Pawar had raised multiple allegations about the crash circumstances and suspected foul play. On Saturday, Rohit Pawar wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the resignation of Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu until the inquiry is completed, citing alleged links between the aircraft owner VSR and the minister.
Fadnavis noted that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is currently auditing VSR Company and examining all its logbooks.
Ajit Pawar death: Sunetra Pawar backs CBI investigation into air crash
“We must wait for the probe report and refrain from speculation. Any doubts should be referred to the appropriate authority. The government will ensure regular follow-up of the investigation. I believe the DGCA and the civil aviation ministry have nothing to hide,” he added.
Fadnavis highlighted the importance of the probe for the safety of all political leaders, mentioning that he himself had travelled on VSR planes multiple times.
Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, present at the press conference alongside Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, said: “We have requested a CBI probe into the air crash and the chief minister has assured a thorough investigation.”
(With PTI inputs)
