NCP Demands CBI Probe into Plane Crash that Killed Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday to demand a Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) probe into the plane crash in February that killed then deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Accepting the request for CBI probe, Fadnavis assured he would personally take it up with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi . Speaking to mediapersons, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare said, “Several NCP leaders under Sunetra Pawar’s leadership called on the CM to seek a thorough CBI probe into the plane crash that killed (then) Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on January 28 in Baramati. The CM has assured that the state government will write to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a CBI probe.” The NCP’s demand for a CBI probe comes after conspiracy theories voiced by NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) party MLA Rohit Pawar last week. At two media interactions in Mumbai and Delhi, Rohit Pawar made a presentation to point out serious lapses, including different versions on visibility, pilot replacement to last minute change in the itinerary of Ajit Pawar. Seeking an independent probe in the case, Rohit Pawar said, “Foreign agencies such as National Transportation Safety Board France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety or the UK’s Air Accident Investigation Branch should look into the probe.” “There is ample scope to doubt conspiracy that may have led to the fatal accident,” the NCP(SP) MLA had said. Shortly after the incident, DGCA and CID initiated an investigation into the aircraft crash. Earlier, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in a statement had assured that an impartial investigation would be carried out according to the norms.