Bengaluru, March 24 (NationPress) A Zero FIR lodged in Bengaluru has claimed that a larger criminal conspiracy is behind the January 28, 2026, plane crash near Baramati Airport in Maharashtra, which resulted in the death of then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others.

The complaint, submitted on March 23 at the High Grounds police station by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Rajendra Pawar, the nephew of the deceased, alleges that the incident was orchestrated to eliminate Ajit Pawar.

This FIR seeks to identify and hold accountable all those implicated in this alleged crime.

According to police records, the FIR has been filed under Sections 61, 103, 105, 106, 125, 238, and 336(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Authorities noted that the delay in filing the FIR stemmed from the complainant's unsuccessful attempts at various police stations across Maharashtra, leading to the submission of a Zero FIR in Bengaluru.

The crash reportedly took place between 8:43 am and 8:45 am when a Bombardier Learjet 45, with registration VT-SSK, operated by VSR Ventures Private Limited, fell while traveling from Mumbai to Baramati, resulting in the deaths of all five individuals aboard.

The FIR, filed under Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, details that previous attempts to file complaints at the Marine Drive Police Station on February 25 and the Baramati Police Station on February 26 were unsuccessful, while the Pune CID stated they were only examining the Accidental Death Report angle.

The complainant has requested a thorough criminal inquiry independent of the technical investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), arguing that the crash was a planned conspiracy against Ajit Pawar.

The FIR references findings from a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) safety audit conducted on February 24, 2026, which allegedly found VSR aircraft to be negligent and unfit for flight, resulting in their grounding.

It claims that aircraft VT-SSK was operated in breach of safety regulations, with approximately 4,915 flight hours, nearing the mandatory engine overhaul threshold of 5,000 hours.

Moreover, the complaint suggests that the actual flight hours may have surpassed 8,000, indicating potential under-reporting in official maintenance records, which raises concerns about the ongoing use of an unsafe aircraft.

Weather conditions during the landing phase are also scrutinized. While a flying training organization estimated visibility at 3,000 meters, Pune METAR data indicated only about 2,000 meters with mist, and satellite imagery revealed fog patches.

Under Visual Flight Rules, landing is not permissible with visibility less than 5 kilometers, yet clearance was allegedly granted.

The complaint further questions the DGCA certification records, noting that the aircraft’s airworthiness certificate was issued on December 16, 2021, before its registration certificate on December 27, 2022, which contradicts standard procedures.

Additionally, the aircraft was previously registered in the United States as N80PQ and reportedly retired from service abroad, raising doubts about the diligence exercised during its import and certification in India.

The conduct and background of Chief Pilot Sumit Kapoor are also highlighted. The complaint alleges he had prior alcohol-related violations in 2010 and 2017, leading to a three-year suspension by the DGCA, and had ceased advanced Learjet training in the US due to alcohol issues. Nevertheless, he was assigned to operate the flight.

Reportedly, the originally scheduled crew was replaced at the last minute, with VSR claiming the initial crew was delayed in traffic.

The complaint describes this rationale as implausible and lacking supporting evidence.

Additionally, it alleges that Kapoor’s financial vulnerabilities and past transgressions made him susceptible to coercion, with claims that a life insurance policy was recently taken out in his name.

Other irregularities include a last-minute change in Ajit Pawar's travel plans, who initially intended to travel by road on January 27 but remained in Mumbai. The flight itself was delayed by approximately 70 minutes from its scheduled 7 am departure.

The complaint also points out operational anomalies during landing, such as a switch from the initially requested Runway 29 to Runway 11 just before landing, and the absence of a go-around attempt after a failed first approach.

In the last recorded moments, the co-pilot reportedly exclaimed, “Oh shit, oh shit, while the chief pilot remained silent, with no distress call or emergency response documented.

The complaint concludes that these factors collectively indicate systematic violations, negligence, and a potential criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and seeks action against all involved parties.