Rohit Pawar Alleges ₹145 Crore Payout to Aviation Firm Following Fatal Crash Involving Ajit Pawar

New Delhi, April 29, 2026: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has raised serious questions regarding the financial dealings between the Maharashtra state government and VSR Ventures, the aviation company operating the aircraft involved in the fatal crash that claimed the life of then-Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar earlier this year.

In a recent development, Rohit Pawar alleged that the government cleared substantial payments to the aviation firm in the immediate aftermath of the January 28 tragedy. During a visit to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office in Pune this week, the MLA claimed that the government disbursed approximately ₹145 crore to VSR Ventures between the date of the crash and the end of March 2026.

Allegations of Financial Irregularities

Rohit Pawar, who has been vocal about his concerns regarding the investigation, highlighted a timeline of payments that he described as “unusually swift.”

According to the MLA, the state government continued to process bills for VSR Ventures at an accelerated pace even as other state obligations remained pending. Specifically, he alleged that:

• January 27: A payment of ₹15.72 crore was released.
• January 28 (Day of the crash): A payment of ₹9.81 crore was released.
• January 29: A payment of ₹16.86 crore was cleared, even as the final rites for Ajit Pawar were being performed in Baramati.

“While contractors, farmers, and students have been struggling to secure their dues, the government found it prudent to clear a total of ₹145 crore to VSR Ventures in the two months following the tragedy,” Rohit Pawar stated while speaking to the press.

Demands for a Transparent Probe

This latest allegation marks the third time Rohit Pawar has visited the CID office to seek updates on the status of the investigation. Expressing frustration over the perceived lack of progress, he noted that he was unable to meet with senior officials during his visit, as many were reportedly in Mumbai for a cricket match.

The MLA has also raised concerns about the handling of the probe, arguing that investigators have failed to adequately question key figures associated with the aviation firm. He specifically pointed out that the owner of VSR Ventures, V.K. Singh, has been summoned only once, while his son, Rohit Singh, has not been questioned by the CID.

Link to ‘Godman’ and Conspiracy Theories

Beyond the financial allegations, Rohit Pawar has urged the CID to investigate potential links between the crash and a Nashik-based individual, Ashok Kharat.

Rohit Pawar alleged that occult rituals were reportedly performed in proximity to Ajit Pawar’s residences in Baramati and Mumbai, and that a local political figure had been in contact with Kharat. He emphasized that the police must determine whether these rituals were linked to a larger conspiracy, noting that transactions in Kharat’s account showed a “sudden increase” around the time of the tragedy.

Background on the Incident

On January 28, 2026, a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures crashed near the Baramati airport while en route from Mumbai. The crash resulted in the death of Ajit Pawar and four others.

In the months following the incident, the case has been subject to multiple layers of inquiry. While the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been conducting a separate technical inquiry, Rohit Pawar has consistently pushed for the CID to take a more central role, expressing skepticism regarding the transparency of other investigative bodies.

The MLA’s call for a criminal investigation, which he initiated by filing a “Zero FIR” in Bengaluru shortly after the incident, continues to gain momentum as the public demands clarity on whether the tragedy was a preventable accident or the result of systemic negligence and foul play.

As of now, the government and relevant aviation authorities have maintained that investigations are ongoing and are being conducted in accordance with standard safety protocols. The state administration has yet to formally respond to the specific allegations regarding the timing and nature of the payments made to VSR Ventures.