A PIL in the Bombay High Court seeks a court-monitored probe into the Baramati Learjet crash that killed Ajit Pawar and five others. Activist Ketan Tirodkar urges a CID investigation into the alleged accidental deaths.
MUMBAI: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been lodged in the Bombay High Court, seeking a thorough investigation into the tragic Learjet crash that occurred at Baramati on January 28, claiming the lives of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and five others.
Social activist Ketan Tirodkar is advocating for a court-monitored inquiry into the “accidental death” of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. He is requesting that the State Criminal Investigation Division (CID) conducts a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The petition also calls for the creation of a judicial commission led by a retired Bombay High Court judge, along with aviation experts, including a former Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and a chief maintenance engineer from a commercial airline.
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In his petition, Tirodkar indicates that he previously reached out to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on February 20, requesting a CID investigation into the incident. This initial communication went unanswered, prompting him to turn to the High Court for action.
The PIL raises several pressing issues regarding the crash. Notably, it questions the last-minute decision to switch from road travel to a flight. Tirodkar also highlights the unusual replacement of the originally assigned pilots, which reportedly occurred due to a traffic jam.
The petition emphasizes the repeated requests for alternate landing runways at Baramati, further adding to the confusion surrounding the flight’s operations. Tirodkar also raises concerns about whether the Learjet was legally registered in India or if it was operating under a U.S. registration number.
The petition references public statements made by MLA Rohit Pawar, the nephew of the late Ajit Pawar, who has alleged irregularities in the aircraft’s operations. The MLA has shared purported chats among airline staff and pilots, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of the flight.
Despite raising significant issues and concerns, the petition has yet to be scheduled for a hearing in the High Court.
The call for a comprehensive investigation into the Learjet crash highlights the need for accountability and transparency in aviation safety, particularly following such a high-profile incident. As the Bombay High Court considers this PIL, the outcome can have far-reaching implications for aviation regulations and public trust in air travel safety.
Case Title: Ketan Tirodkar v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.
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