Ajit Pawar's son shares video alleging VSR Ventures owner slept in pilot’s seat; demands arrest

Mumbai: Days within the tabling of the preliminary probe by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the Baramati plane crash, late Ajit Pawar’s son Jay and nephew Rohit posted a video of VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd owner V K Singh’s son Rohit Singh napping inside the cockpit of an aircraft.

The VSR has not offered any comments on the development involving the purported video of Rohit Singh, who is also a Director in the charter company, sleeping while in the seat of pilot-in-command in civilian clothes while the first officer was piloting the aircraft.

The Pawar cousins slammed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the AAIB.

“I have lost my father... this pain will stay with me for the rest of my life. In this video, VSR owner Rohit Singh is seen sleeping in the main pilot's seat during a flight. Such negligence while in the air is unacceptable. This is extremely serious and shocking,” said Jay, who sought action from the DGCA regarding the video footage.

"I firmly demand that the DGCA take immediate and strict action in this matter. Until a full investigation is completed, all VSR aircraft should be grounded immediately, and Rohit Singh should be arrested and face rigorous legal action. This is a son's heartfelt plea... for my father and for the safety of every passenger,” added Jay, who is from the NCP, in a post in Instagram.

It may be mentioned, his mother and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has sought a CBI probe into the accident involving her husband Ajit Pawar.

On the other hand, Rohit, who is two-term NCP (SP) MLA too raised serious concerns.

“Look at that…VSR company owner Rohit Singh… he has seemingly become more powerful than even the biggest leaders in the state. High-ranking Union Ministers and top leaders from the state government attended his wedding; this is exactly why there seems to be a coordinated effort from all sides to protect him," Rohit said.

“Looking at DGCA’s entire actions so far, we have doubts in our minds whether they'll take any action on this. But those responsible for Ajit Dada's plane crash - we will never let them off the hook... not at all,” he added.