Mumbai, April 28 (IANS) A major row erupted on Tuesday after NCP MP Parth Pawar, who is the son of former Deputy Chief Minister late Ajit Pawar, travelled to Pune in a private jet from VSR Ventures.
The controversy stems from the fact that VSR Ventures is the same charter company involved in the tragic plane crash on January 28, 2026, which claimed the life of his father, the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Parth Pawar’s journey in a jet from VSR Ventures came hours after his cousin and NCP SP legislator Rohit Pawar, at a press conference today, levelled serious charges against the private jet company, highlighting critical safety violations.
However, Parth Pawar issued a clarification, stating that it was merely an administrative-level error, adding that he has taken it seriously and is immediately cancelling the agreement with the agent who booked the concerned flight.
In his post on X, Parth Pawar said that due to the urgent need to reach Modi Baug, Pune, to meet Sharad Pawar Saheb, he had instructed his office to arrange a flight.
He said that, due to last-minute arrangements, a VSR Aviation flight was unwittingly booked for him, and he had no idea it was VSR Aviation’s until he reached the airport and boarded the aircraft.
He said this was merely an administrative-level error and that he has taken it seriously, adding that they are immediately cancelling the agreement with the agent who booked the concerned flight.
He added that clear instructions have been given to his staff and colleagues to remain more vigilant to prevent such mistakes from happening again.
He further stated that their earlier stance on VSR Aviation remains the same today, adding that they have a clear opposition and that it will continue to be so.
He said that the controversy being created over this is completely baseless, misleading, and unfortunate, adding that it is not right to attempt to politicise it without understanding the true situation.
Earlier, Rohit Pawar targeted VSR Ventures, saying that on the day of the crash, visibility at Baramati airport was reportedly below the required 3 km.
Despite warnings from Chief Pilot Captain Sumit Kapoor, it is alleged that the company owner pressured the crew to fly.
He added that a more recent incident on April 25, 2026, involving a VSR Learjet (VT-VRR) bound for Dubai, resulted in a takeoff failure due to flap malfunctions.
Pawar claimed that this reinforces a pattern of operating “dilapidated and dangerous” aircraft.
Rohit Pawar pointed to a surge in government payments to aviation companies during the 2025-26 fiscal year, totalling over Rs 210 crore.
Specifically, he flagged that Rs 145 crore were released to VSR Ventures within just three days surrounding the crash (January 27–29).
He has called for an inquiry into why such massive payments were cleared during the period of the tragedy.
–IANS
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