'Something is dubious': Sanjay Raut raises question on Ajit Pawar's death, demand probe

New Delhi: Calling the incident "dubious", Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday has questioned the "suspicious" death of the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar and asked for a thorough  investigation into the plane crash

What did Raut said?

While talking to ANI, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said that the details emerging about the late leader's fatal plane crash do not add up and "something is dubious".

"Questions will indeed be raised on the accident of Ajit Dada; questions should indeed be raised. The manner in which a leader like Ajit Pawar, a tall leader of Maharashtra, died in a plane crash and the facts which are coming to light - it should be investigated, I think there is something dubious here. These questions are being raised by Ajit Dada's party. His death is suspicious," Sanjay Raut said.

Describing the January 28 Baramati plane crash as "suspicious", Raut has urged for a thorough investigation.

Raut attacked BJP by saying that the saffron party had threatened Ajit Pawar with irrigation scam files after he expressed the desire for the merger of the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

"Something did happen behind the curtains. Ajit Dada had said that he wants to 'return home', after that, the people of the BJP threatened him with Sinchan Scam files. Ajit Pawar then responded to them over the same Sinchan Scam files."

He further claimed that the NCP leader "died mysteriously within 10 days" of the discussion.

"He died mysteriously within 10 days of that. What do we understand from this? This reminds us of Justice Loya. Did someone do something here?" he added.

What did Sharad Pawar say?

Earlier, Sharad Pawar had urged people not to politicise the death of his nephew Ajit Pawar, saying that the plane crash was an accident.

"Some malicious forces are trying to portray this accident as politically motivated, which is not true. There is no politics involved here; it is purely an accident. The grief affects Maharashtra and all of us deeply. I appeal to everyone not to politicise this tragedy," he said.

Sharad Pawar spoke when several political leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, Mallikarjun Kharge and Akhilesh Yadav, demanded a probe into the mishap.

How did the accident happen?

The aircraft, a Learjet 45, which took off from Mumbai at around 8 am, crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Baramati airport. 

Who was on board?

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) statement, the 66-year-old leader was onboard along with two personnel, one PSO and one attendant, and two crew members, the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and the First Officer (FO).