DGCA also at fault as it admits non-compliance in VSR Ventures: Rohit Pawar
The Hindu
Rohit Pawar criticizes DGCA for admitting safety lapses in VSR Ventures after the tragic crash that killed Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) attacked aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), claiming that it had earlier attempted to give aviation company VSR Ventures a “clean chit” before later admitting to safety lapses by it.
VSR Ventures Private Limited was the company that operated the ill-fated Learjet 45 aircraft (VT-SSK) plane which crashed near the Baramati airstrip in Pune district on January 28, 2026, killing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others.
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Speaking to reporters on the Vidhan Bhavan premises in Mumbai, Mr. Pawar said the report issued by the DGCA at 1.36 p.m. on January 28, 2026 had stated that during the last regulatory audit conducted in February 2025, no "Level-I findings" were reported against VSR Ventures.
“When Ajit Pawar’s body was taken to the hospital, the DGCA issued the report. It was the first attempt to issue a clean chit to VSR,” he alleged.
Questioning the regulator’s role, Mr. Pawar asked, “Who issued the airworthiness certificates? Who looks into aircraft maintenance? Who will take care of air safety? All responsibilities lie with the DGCA. If VSR is at fault, then the DGCA is also at fault.”
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