The Maharashtra CID had already started looking into an Accidental Death Report about the crash. Rohit Pawar, who is a member of the NCP in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, filed the Zero FIR.
Agencies involved and separate inquiries
The AAIB, which is part of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, did a technical investigation and had initial findings on February tth. This investigation is separate from the CID’s work, and is looking at how the plane was flown, the plane’s parts, and what mechanically caused the crash.
The DGCA did a safety check of planes from VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd. They found problems, and some of the company’s planes have been stopped from flying until they are checked more. The CID will work with standard police work, but won’t replace the technical investigation.
What the Zero FIR alleges and legal steps taken
Rohit Pawar filed the Zero FIR in Bangalore, using Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and says several crimes may have happened. He claims there was a criminal agreement, that someone could be responsible for the deaths, that it could be murder, carelessness, and that evidence was changed.
Because of the law, this Zero FIR will be sent to the Baramati police station (in the Pune Rural area). Police say the Baramati station then gave the FIR to the Maharashtra CID, and they will use it as a statement from a witness (according to Section t of the BNSS).
Claims about negligence and conspiracy
The Zero FIR says the crash happened because of regularly breaking aviation safety rules, faking records, and being extremely careless with the plane’s upkeep and operation. It also says the crash might have been part of a larger criminal plot to get rid of Ajit Pawar.
Investigators will compare these claims to the technical details from the AAIB and the DGCA’s official findings. To actually make criminal accusations, they’ll need more than just what’s in the complaint and will need to work closely with those in charge of flying and investigating.
CID mandate and scope of inquiry
Sunil Ramanand, head of the Maharashtra CID, says the Accidental Death Report started the legal process, and the Zero FIR will be part of the CID’s investigation as a statement (Section 180 BNSS). The CID will determine if the crash was because of someone breaking things on purpose, a criminal plot, or carelessness.
The CID is following the usual steps after any crash that causes deaths; collecting evidence, talking to people who saw what happened, and working with the technical investigators. Criminal charges will only happen if proof from forensic science and documents supports the accusations.
Public reaction and political context
Since the crash, family and political friends have asked for a thorough investigation. Rohit Pawar recently spoke at a town hall and asked the authorities to completely and openly look into how the crash happened.
Because of who Ajit Pawar was and all the different things people are claiming, the public is very interested. Officials will have to be both open and careful as the many agencies involved finish their investigations, which are all connected.
Next steps and what to expect
The CID is adding the Zero FIR information to the Accidental Death Report investigation they are already doing while the AAIB finishes their technical report. Any more rule changes or criminal action will depend on what the technical investigation, forensic science, and legal teams say.
Ajit Pawar’s family and the public will be waiting for the official results from the AAIB and updates from the CID. Any legal cases or extra rules will only happen after the investigators have definite proof of criminal wrongdoing or big problems with safety.
