Mumbai: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to submit the final report into the death of then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash by January next year, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday.
“While AAIB reports typically take three to four years to finalize, the Central Government has made a special request to them to submit the report as soon as possible. We hope the report arrives before Dada’s death anniversary,” said Fadnavis while speaking in the Vidhan Sabha on the last day of the monsoon session of the State Legislature.
Pawar, who was onboard a Learjet 45 plane with four others, died following a crash near the Baramati Airport on January 28 this year, following which the AAIB launched a probe.
The CM informed that the Baramati plane crash is currently under investigation by both the CID and the AAIB. “The AAIB is expected to submit its final report by January next year. It is crucial as it aims to pinpoint the exact causes of the accident,” he added.
“The AAIB preliminary report was already submitted and that investigators have reconstructed and retrieved digital evidence, including data from the aircraft’s black box,” the CM said.
Fadnavis also said that further investigative steps on whether to assign the probe to the CBI will be taken based on the AAIB report.
“The CBI has clearly stated that it will not proceed with its own investigation until the AAIB report is submitted. Hence, the decision on CBI’s investigation will take direction only after the AAIB’s final report is received,” he said.
“There is no need for speculation; an FIR has already been registered in Karnataka. However, we must first establish who is at fault, which cannot be done without the AAIB report. While sentiments are important, the law does not operate on emotion; a case based on sentiment would not hold up in court and would face a setback. Therefore, we are awaiting the AAIB report,” Fadnavis said.
The CM also gave details of the CID probe saying preliminary findings from the state investigative agency have scrutinized the credentials, bank accounts, and investments of pilot Sumit Kapoor, revealing nothing of a suspicious nature.
“Preliminary findings from the CID have scrutinized the credentials, bank accounts and investments of pilot Sumit Kapoor, revealing nothing of a suspicious nature,” the CM stated.
Pawar was with his personal security officer and attendant, as well as two cockpit crew – pilot-in-command Sumit Kapur and first officer Shambhavi Pathak – when he was killed in the plane crash at Baramati airport in Pune district.
Fadnavis emphasized that the state is not relying solely on domestic expertise, adding, “We have engaged international agencies, including those from the United States, to ensure the investigation remains beyond reproach,” he said.
The Opposition, led by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, has been seeking a probe by multiple expert agencies into the incident, alleging irregularities and discrepancies.
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