Ajit Pawar’s son releases video alleging VSR Ventures owner sleeping in cockpit mid-flight
Footage triggers safety concerns; Jay Pawar demands investigation
A video shared by Jay Pawar allegedly showing the owner of VSR Ventures asleep inside the cockpit during a flight has raised serious aviation safety concerns, weeks after a Learjet crash in Baramati on January 28 claimed five lives.
The footage, posted by Jay Pawar while expressing his grief, shows a man in civilian clothes, identified as VSR owner Rohit Singh, asleep in the left seat of the cockpit while a uniformed pilot operates the aircraft from the right seat. The individual is seen holding a bag while dozing in what is typically the pilot-in-command’s seat, before the camera pans towards the passenger cabin.
“I have lost my father… this pain will stay with me for the rest of my life,” Jay Pawar said, describing the visuals as “extremely serious and shocking” and alleging a clear breach of aviation safety protocols. Cockpit access in India is tightly regulated and the video has triggered concern over possible violations.
Seeking immediate action, Jay Pawar urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ground all aircraft operated by the company pending a full investigation. He also demanded strict legal action against those responsible. “Such negligence while in the air is unacceptable. This is a son’s heartfelt plea… for my father and for the safety of every passenger,” he said.
The demand was echoed by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who also shared the video and called for a criminal FIR. Despite visiting police stations in Mumbai and Baramati, as well as the CID office in Pune, no FIR had been registered at the time of reporting.
Rohit Pawar had earlier sought the resignation of Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, holding authorities accountable for the crash.
A preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau cited poor visibility and safety lapses as key factors behind the accident. Visibility at the time of landing was recorded at 3 km, below the 5 km minimum required for operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The crash occurred at an uncontrolled airfield operating under VFR conditions.
The Learjet 45XR (VT-SSK) crashed during its second landing attempt on Runway 11 at Baramati at approximately 8.46 am IST. All five persons on board — including the pilot-in-command, the first officer, a cabin attendant, Ajit Pawar and his personal security officer — were killed.
