Rohit Pawar Flags ‘Godman Link’ to Ajit Pawar Crash, Seeks CID Probe

Rohit Pawar on Tuesday alleged that a Nashik-based godman could be linked to the fatal plane crash that claimed the life of his uncle, Ajit Pawar , and urged the Crime Investigation Department (CID) to expand its probe to include possible criminal and financial angles .

Addressing reporters after visiting the CID office in Pune, Pawar named Ashok Kharat as a person of interest , citing what he described as “ prima facie indications ” of suspicious activity. He alleged that certain occult rituals had been performed near Ajit Pawar’s residence in Baramati in the days leading up to the crash, reportedly through a local political intermediary who was in contact with individuals close to the late NCP leader.

Pawar further claimed that Kharat had prior interactions with people linked to Ajit Pawar’s political and social circle , including a local functionary who frequently visited the godman. He also raised questions about a sudden spike in financial transactions in Kharat’s bank accounts on January 27 and 28, just before the crash, suggesting the need to examine any possible financial or indirect connections .

The MLA additionally referred to Kharat’s recent arrest in March in a separate case involving allegations of sexual exploitation, cheating, and blackmail , stating that investigators should examine whether any of those networks intersected with individuals known to Ajit Pawar.

The crash occurred on January 28 when a Learjet 45 aircraft , operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, went down at Baramati airport while en route from Mumbai, killing Ajit Pawar and four others. Pawar, a senior leader with significant influence in western Maharashtra, had longstanding associations with stakeholders in the cooperative and infrastructure sectors , though no direct link between these associations and the crash has been officially established.

Rohit Pawar said he had submitted additional material to investigators but expressed concern over the pace of the probe , alleging that key officials were not available during his visit. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is conducting a parallel technical inquiry and has submitted preliminary findings. The CID, which is probing the case as an accidental death , said the Zero FIR filed by Rohit Pawar will be treated as part of the ongoing investigation under the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita .