NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has filed a Zero FIR in Bengaluru seeking a criminal probe into the January 28 aircraft crash in Baramati that killed former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, alleging a larger conspiracy behind the incident.
A Zero FIR allows a police station to register a case for a cognisable offence irrespective of jurisdiction, ensuring immediate action before it is transferred to the appropriate police station.
The FIR, registered at the High Grounds police station on March 23, invokes multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including criminal conspiracy, murder, culpable homicide, causing death by negligence, destruction of evidence and forgery.
Pawar moved the Bengaluru police after failing to get an FIR registered in Maharashtra, having earlier approached the Marine Drive and Baramati police stations. According to the complaint, Pune CID had limited its inquiry to an accidental death report, prompting the demand for a broader criminal investigation beyond the technical probe by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
The FIR alleges “systematic violations” of aviation safety norms, falsification of records and gross negligence in aircraft maintenance and operations that “directly and foreseeably” led to the crash.
It cites a DGCA safety audit dated February 24, which reportedly found aircraft operated by VSR Company to be “not airworthy” and grounded them, but alleges that the company continued to deploy the aircraft commercially, endangering lives.
The complaint also flags alleged irregularities in flight operations, including a last-minute change in crew, the pilot’s decision to attempt landing in sub-minimum visibility, and a sudden switch from a safer runway to a more hazardous one without justification.
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“The pilot’s decision to proceed with landing under sub-minimum visibility conditions, and the failure of air traffic communications personnel to prevent it, constitute a prima facie violation of applicable VFR regulations,” it said.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Rohit Pawar said he was left with no option but to approach Bengaluru as he received no help from anyone in Maharashtra in registering the FIR here. “The Zero FIR has now been transferred to Maharashtra. It is expected that action is taken now. I will keep a close watch on this as to how investigation progresses,” said Pawar.
Meanwhile, the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is investigating the Accidental Death case registered after the January 28 Baramati plane crash that killed the then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The CID has said that it is examining whether the crash was the result of criminal conspiracy, sabotage, or negligence. The CID has been handed over the inquiry because one of the deceased was a high-ranking public official.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation (AAIB) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is also investigating the Baramati plane crash.
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When asked about the ‘Zero FIR’ registered by Rohit Pawar at High Grounds police station of Bengaluru, a senior Maharashtra police officer said, “While the CID is currently conducting the inquiry in the case, the Zero FIR registered with Bengaluru police will not directly go to the CID. It is because CID is not a police station but a referral investigative agency. This FIR will be sent to the Baramati taluka police station under the Pune Rural police, which is the original jurisdiction of the incident. A decision will be subsequently taken by the senior officials on whether the FIR shall be investigated by Pune Rural police or referred to the CID.”
An officer from Pune Rural police said, “As on Tuesday evening, the FIR has not yet been forwarded to us. Once it is forwarded on the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems, CCTNS, it will be visible on our dashboard.”
Officials said that considering the seriousness of the probe, the Maharashtra government has initiated communication on transferring the probe of the Accidental Death case to the CBI in February last week.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010.
Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune.
Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More
