Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the ‘zero’ FIR registered in Bengaluru in connection with the plane crash that killed former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar was a “strategic attempt” to tarnish the image of the state.
Responding to a motion moved by the Opposition in the Legislative Council, and to issues raised by NCP’s Rohit Pawar, Fadnavis dismissed the First Information Report registered in Karnataka as politically motivated.
Fadnavis, who holds the Home Ministry, said a zero-hour FIR can be registered only when the victim cannot approach the local police station or when it is unclear which police station has jurisdiction.
“If such a precedent is set, Maharashtra leaders can also file FIRs against Karnataka officials at Mumbai police stations,” he said.
Rohit Pawar, nephew of Ajit Pawar, said on Tuesday that since police in Maharashtra failed to register an FIR due to alleged negligence in his complaint related to the January 28 plane crash, he has filed a zero FIR in Bengaluru.
The case is currently registered as an Accidental Death Report (ADR), the Prime Minister said, and explained the legal process to “give effect to the law”. “If the investigation proves negligence or wrongdoing, the ADR will be transferred to an FIR at the chargesheet stage,” he said.
Giving an update on the investigation, Fadnavis said CCTV footage from Mumbai and Baramati confirmed that Ajit Pawar had boarded the flight. He said forensic reports, including DNA and viscera analysis, ruled out alcohol consumption, intoxication or illegal transport of supplemental fuel.
Fadnavis said the Air Accident Investigation Bureau’s preliminary report found that visibility at the time of the accident was 3,000 metres, below the required level of 5,000 metres. Referring to pilot Sumit Kapoor, Fadnavis acknowledged his previous suspension in 2010 and 2017, but said he was re-certified after undergoing training in the United States.
Autopsy reports attributed the cause of death for all five victims to burn injuries. The victims’ DNA samples matched those of their relatives, while analysis of the viscera and blood confirmed that there were no traces of alcohol or poison. Fadnavis said investigators found no evidence of external fuel cans on board the plane.
He added that the plane, model 2010 (Learjet 45), has a valid airworthiness certificate and is operated by VSR Aviation, which owns a fleet of 16 aircraft and 20 pilots.
Responding to Rohit Pawar’s request for an investigation into the murder, the Prime Minister said that the government will leave no stone unturned to uncover the truth. He added: “If there is a conspiracy, even if there is a person with great influence, we will uncover it.”
He also said that the state government has asked the Center to involve the CBI in the investigation. While the state CID is currently investigating the ADR, the final report of the AAIB will determine whether the case should be converted into a criminal FIR, he said.
