In a heart-wrenching post on Instagram, Jay Pawar, son of late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has shared a disturbing video exposing grave safety lapses at VSR Ventures. The footage captures VSR owner Rohit Singh dozing off in the pilot’s seat mid-flight, a blatant act of negligence that has ignited outrage.
Jay Pawar, overcome with grief from his father’s tragic death in a Baramati plane crash on January 28, 2026, wrote, ‘I have lost my father… this pain will stay with me forever.’ He demanded immediate action from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), urging them to ground all VSR flights, arrest Rohit Singh, and launch a thorough probe.
This call comes amid heightened scrutiny on VSR after the Learjet 45 crash that claimed Ajit Pawar’s life. A subsequent DGCA special safety audit uncovered multiple violations in airworthiness, safety protocols, and flight operations. Consequently, four VSR aircraft—VT-VRA, VT-VRS, VT-VRV, and VT-TRI—have been grounded until compliance is restored.
The DGCA statement detailed serious non-compliances, including repeated failures to follow approved procedures in maintenance and operations. Deficiency reports have been issued to VSR, requiring root cause analysis for further assessment.
Jay Pawar’s emotional plea underscores the urgent need for aviation safety. ‘This is a son’s cry for my father and every passenger’s safety,’ he stated. As investigations continue, the incident raises broader questions about charter flight regulations in India, with public demand growing for stricter oversight to prevent future tragedies.