CID questions VSR Ventures owner in Baramati plane crash case

The Maharashtra CID on Thursday questioned VSR Ventures owner V K Singh in connection with the Baramati plane crash that killed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. The agency is probing possible sabotage or criminal negligence

Pune: The Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department on Thursday questioned V K Singh, owner of VSR Ventures, which operated the aircraft involved in the Baramati crash that killed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, a CID officer said.

“The statement of V K Singh is being recorded,” said the CID officer, without disclosing more details about the questioning, which was still underway.

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A Learjet 45 aircraft operated by VSR Ventures crashed near the Baramati airstrip in Pune district on January 28, killing Pawar and four others.

After the plane crash, an accidental death report was registered at the Baramati Taluka Police Station, and the case was later transferred to the Pune CID. Earlier, the state agency had said that its focus was to ascertain if sabotage or criminal negligence led to the Baramati tragedy.

Days before V K Singh’s questioning, the CID had sent a set of questions to VSR Ventures in connection with its investigation into the plane crash, according to a source.

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar had alleged on Wednesday that someone was trying to save VSR Ventures and claimed that a preliminary probe by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) vindicated the doubts earlier raised by him.

In its 22-page preliminary report on the air tragedy, the AAIB said the visibility at the time of the crash was below the required level. It also flagged fading marks on the runway and the presence of loose gravel on the runway surface.

A few days ago, Ajit Pawar’s son Jay Pawar shared a purported video on social media alleging that V K Singh’s son Rohit Singh was seen dozing off in the chief pilot’s seat during a flight and demanded his immediate arrest.

He also demanded that all aircraft of VSR Ventures be grounded till the inquiry into his father’s plane crash is completed.