Extra two fuel tanks on Ajit Pawar’s plane, says Rohit Pawar; demands to set up monitoring committee

Rohit Pawar raises concerns about extra fuel tanks on Ajit Pawar's plane and demands a monitoring committee for the investigation.

A day after the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) sought a CBI probe into the plane crash that killed its chief, Ajit Pawar’s nephew and NCP SP MLA Rohit Pawar on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) alleged that the plane was loaded with extra fuel tanks, questioning why no action has been taken against VSR Aviation company.

The Karjat MLA also demanded the setting up of a committee to monitor the ongoing investigation, consisting Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi and Pawar family members. 

“The high-intensity explosion occurred during the crash due to illegal fuel tanks. The fuel tank was full, and two more tanks were kept in the plane, acting as a bomb. Why did you want to have so many fuel tanks to fly to Baramati? The refilling could have been done in Hyderabad as well,” Mr. Pawar said, adding that small things are forcing us to question whether this is an accident or a conspiracy. 

Pointing out the delay in the investigation, Mr. Pawar said, “The investigation order was issued on February 2, and the forensic people reached the spot late in the evening on January 28. How the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DCGA) investigates when there are discrepancies in the VSR’s operations. 20 days have gone by, and why is there no preliminary report out? They are protecting VSR and the brains behind it. We were checking why there is no action on the VSR company.”

Mr. Pawar further raised concerns over the whereabouts of VSR Venture’s owner, V.K. Singh, and his son, Rohit Singh. He alleged that Rohit Singh, who is in Miami, left India after the accident and should have been detained for questioning. “Powerful people are purposely protecting VSR as several ministers for TDP and other parties are close to them,” he said, adding that this is why international agencies should be appointed with a monitoring committee having Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Pawar family members, MPs, and a Judge on the panel.

Following the demise of the former president of NCP, Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash on January 28, questions surrounding the circumstances of the accident have intensified, with Rohit Pawar and other leaders expressing scepticism.