The Maharashtra government has asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to order a CBI probe into the plane crash that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar last month, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference on the eve of the budget session of the Maharashtra legislature, Fadnavis said the Mahyuti government would ensure that all doubts related to the plane crash are removed.
“I have received a letter from the NCP (BJP ally) seeking a CBI investigation into the plane crash and have spoken to Home Minister Amit Shah. Besides investigations by the DGCA and state CID, there will be a CBI investigation,” he added.
Ajit Pawar and four others on board a chartered plane were killed when it crashed while trying to land near Baramati in Pune district on January 28.
The nephew of late NCP chief and NCP leader Rohit Pawar has raised several allegations regarding the circumstances of the plane crash and suspicion of foul play.
Rohit Pawar, on Saturday, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting that Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu to resign until the investigation into the incident is completed.
He had raised questions about VSR, which owns the ill-fated Learjet 45, and its alleged links with Naidu.
Meanwhile, the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) is conducting an audit of VSR and all its records are being examined, Fadnavis added.
“We have to wait for the investigation report and avoid speculation. There may be doubts that should be referred to the relevant authority. We will also ensure regular follow-up of the investigation. I feel that the DGCA and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have nothing to hide,” he said.
Pointing out that the investigation is important for the safety of all political leaders, Fadnavis pointed out that he had traveled on a VSR plane several times.
“We have requested a CBI probe into the plane crash and the Chief Minister has assured of a thorough probe,” said Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, who was also present at the press conference along with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
