Bengaluru Police Register ‘Zero FIR’ in Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Case

The Bengaluru police have registered a ‘Zero FIR’ in connection with the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar , who was killed in a plane crash near Baramati on January 28. The complaint was filed by Pawar’s nephew, Rohit Pawar , who alleged that the tragedy was part of a “larger criminal conspiracy” to eliminate his uncle.

A Zero FIR allows registration of a complaint at any police station, regardless of where the incident occurred, and is then transferred to the appropriate jurisdiction for investigation. In this case, the FIR has been sent to the Maharashtra police for further probe.

Rohit Pawar expressed relief at the registration, saying that earlier approaches to Marine Drive and Baramati police stations in February had not led to any action. “The registration of this FIR is an important step to ensure that allegations of criminal negligence and possible foul play in my uncle’s death are properly investigated,” he said.

In his complaint, Rohit Pawar alleged systematic violations of aviation safety regulations , deliberate falsification of records , and gross negligence by VSR Ventures Private Limited , which operated the Bombardier Learjet 45 that crashed. The aircraft was on a flight from Mumbai to Baramati carrying Ajit Pawar and four others, all of whom died.

He pointed out that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had grounded VSR aircraft after declaring them “negligent, not airworthy” in a safety audit. The crashed aircraft, VT-SSK, was dangerously close to its mandatory engine overhaul limit , and Rohit suspected it may have exceeded its certified safe flight hours.

Further, procedural anomalies were cited: the Airworthiness Certificate was issued in December 2021, but the Aircraft Registration Certificate came a year later, contrary to standard aviation procedure. Rohit also raised concerns over the Chief Pilot Sumit Kapoor , who had a history of alcohol-related violations , and last-minute crew changes before the flight. Flight anomalies included a delayed departure , a sudden runway change to a more dangerous tabletop runway, and the pilot’s lack of response during the final emergency moments.

Rohit Pawar maintains that these factors indicate deliberate misconduct rather than a simple accident. The investigation now rests with Maharashtra authorities.