Politicians Demand Minister's Removal in VSR Aviation Crash Probe

Political leaders in India are calling for the removal of the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, amid the investigation into the fatal January 28 crash of a private jet. The demands center on an alleged conflict of interest, raising questions about the impartiality of the government's multiple inquiries into the accident.

Investigation Under Scrutiny

The controversy stems from the crash of a Learjet 45 aircraft operated by VSR Ventures, a Delhi-based charter operator, which occurred in Baramati, Pune district. Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader Rohit Pawar has publicly called for the minister's resignation, alleging a potential conflict of interest. He claims a senior leader from the minister's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) attended the wedding of the VSR Aviation owner's son, suggesting the connection could compromise the probe. "If they can attend the wedding... the investigation may not proceed in the right direction," Pawar stated to media.

Currently, the crash is subject to a multi-agency probe, a common practice for significant accidents in India. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), India's nodal agency for technical air safety probes, is conducting the statutory investigation under the country's Aircraft Rules, which align with ICAO Annex 13 standards. Concurrently, the state government has assigned its Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to the case. However, prominent leaders, including NCP Working President Praful Patel, are now demanding a federal probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which they describe as a "reliable organisation" needed to ensure all aspects are thoroughly examined.

Technical and Political Challenges

The technical investigation faces significant hurdles. According to Punekar News, the aircraft's Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), collectively known as the 'black boxes,' were recovered but sustained severe heat and fire damage. Praful Patel noted that the recorders are reportedly being sent to the United States for analysis, a standard industry procedure when local laboratories cannot extract data from heavily damaged units.

The demands for a CBI inquiry and the minister's removal highlight the intense political scrutiny that often accompanies air accidents involving prominent figures in India. While the AAIB focuses on determining the cause to prevent future accidents, a CBI or CID probe investigates potential criminal negligence or foul play. The outcome of the black box analysis will be critical for both the technical and any potential criminal investigations moving forward.

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