NCP(SP) leader Rohit Pawar on Tuesday raised suspicions about an alleged sabotage benind the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in January.
With a detailed PowerPoint presentation, Rohit Pawar said, "This is a presentation I have made with my team. We have gathered information and tried to present whatever we could find."
"We do not believe this was a mere accident. There is room to suspect sabotage," he alleged.
Explaining the sequence of events, he pointed out that Ajit was originally scheduled to travel from Mumbai to Pune by road before the crash. "The convoy had already started, but the travel plan was suddenly changed. Why did Dada not leave by car?" asked Rohit.
Rohit pointed out that the Crime Investigation Department (CID) does not have the full authority to probe the crash.
He said he has full faith in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) but did not rule out the involvement of BEA-France, AAIB-UK and NTSB-US for a detailed probe if necessary.
He raised concerns about the two pilots and Vista Sales Private Limited (VSR), the operator of the Learjet 45 aircraft that crashed while trying to land in Pune.
“Why was the main pilot changed before the flight?" asked Rohit, "Sahil Madan and Yash were changed at the last minute. It is important to see why Sumit Kapoor returned from Hong Kong. Was he drunk when he boarded the flight?" Rohit Pawar asked, questioning the track record of Captain Sumit Kapoor, who missed training in the US due to drinking.
Citing his pre-flight alcohol tests in 2010 and 2017, Rohit said Kapoor was suspended for three years for alcohol consumption in the past. He also asked why te co-pilot did not sound 'May Day' alert.
