Ajit Pawar's son shares video alleging VSR Ventures owner slept in pilot’s seat; demands arrest
_vb_28.jpeg)
Pune (PTI): Jay Pawar, son of Maharashtra's late Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, has shared a purported video on social media alleging that VSR Ventures owner Rohit Singh was seen dozing off in the chief pilot's seat during a flight, and demanded his immediate arrest.
He also demanded that all aircraft of VSR Ventures be grounded till the inquiry into his father's plane crash is completed.
VSR Ventures operated the Learjet 45 aircraft which crashed on January 28 with Ajit Pawar and four others on board at Baramati in Pune district.
Sharing the clip on a social media platform, Jay Pawar on Sunday stated, "We lost our father...this pain will stay with us for a lifetime. In this video, Rohit Singh, owner of VSR, is seen asleep in the chief pilot's seat during the flight. Such negligence while the aircraft is in the air is unacceptable. This is extremely serious and shocking."
He demanded that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take immediate and strict action in the matter.
"All VSR aircraft must be grounded with immediate effect until a complete investigation is conducted, and Rohit Singh should be arrested without delay and subjected to stringent legal action. This is a son's anguished appeal...for my father and for the safety of every passenger," he said.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday released the preliminary report on the plane crash and said the visibility at the time of the crash was below the required level.
It flagged fading marks on the runway and the presence of loose gravel on the runway surface at Baramati, as it recommended the regulator DGCA to ensure that stakeholders maintain safety standards at uncontrolled airfields.
Jay Pawar expressed disappointment over the AAIB's report.
"I read the preliminary report. I feel pain and am disappointed that the report was not detailed and complete. People of Maharashtra and the families who lost their loved ones in the accident should get transparent information about the plane crash and all the questions should be answered," he added.
View this post on Instagram
The late NCP leader's younger son also demanded strict action against the entire fleet of VSR Ventures.
"DGCA grounded some aircraft of VSR on the basis of some loopholes. A possibility can not be ruled out that other aircraft also have similar loopholes," he said.
"If serious discrepancies are found in following the rules and SOPs, then instead of taking action against some aircraft, action should be taken against the entire fleet," he demanded.
The DGCA, while giving topmost preference to the safety of passengers, should think of halting the entire operations of VSR Ventures, he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Mangaluru: Four-way waste segregation rolled out under new rules
Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has begun implementing the revised Solid Waste Management Rules 2026, which came into effect nationwide from April 1, making four-way waste segregation mandatory for all residents and establishments.
According to Deccan Herald, under the new system, waste must be segregated into four categories before being handed over to collection vehicles:
1. Wet waste such as kitchen refuse, fruit and vegetable peels, leftover food, meat waste, flowers and leaves.
2. Dry waste including plastic materials, bottles, paper, cardboard and rubber
3. Sanitary waste comprising used sanitary pads, diapers, condoms and bandages
4. Special care or domestic hazardous waste such as used batteries, LED bulbs, tube lights, paint containers, pesticide bottles and thermometers.
MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Naik said wet and sanitary waste will be collected daily, while dry and hazardous waste will be collected once a week (Fridays) to improve efficiency in handling different waste streams.
The corporation has also introduced stricter norms for bulk waste generators, defined as establishments producing more than 100 kg of waste per day, or having a built-up area exceeding 20,000 square metres, including offices, malls, hospitals and large residential complexes, as well as units consuming over 40,000 litres of water daily, will be treated as bulk waste generators and will be subject to stricter norms.
The MCC warned that violations of segregation rules will attract penalties under the Solid Waste Management Bye-laws, 2019, and urged citizens to strictly follow the new system.
For further information, citizens have been advised to contact or visit the Health Department of the corporation during office hours, said the commissioner.
To encourage sustainable practices, the civic body has also launched an initiative recognising zero-waste weddings. Recently, Commissioner Ravichandra Naik honoured Veerendar and Suraksha for conducting an eco-friendly wedding at Rajatadri auditorium in Vamanjoor on March 30.
The MCC in its X handle said "the wedding embraced a zero waste, plastic free and eco friendly concept."
At the ceremony, no plastic bottles were used; guests were served drinks in steel tumblers. No tissue papers were distributed during the programme. Ice cream was served in cups made of arecanut sheets. The stage was decorated with flowers and eco-friendly reusable decorative materials.
Eco-Friendly Wedding: A Green Start!
— ಮಂಗಳೂರು ಮಹಾನಗರ ಪಾಲಿಕೆ | Mangaluru City Corporation (@mangalurucorp) March 31, 2026
Hon'ble Commissioner Sri Ravichandra Naik, KAS, presented an appreciation letter to the couple Suraksha-Veerendra for their noble initiative. Their wedding at Vamanjoor (30-03-2026) embraced a Zero Waste, Plastic-Free, & Eco-Friendly concept. pic.twitter.com/Rlf8piTDUN
