NCP MLA Rohit Pawar.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
VSR Ventures put the life of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde at risk while flying him to the Davos summit in 2023, NCP MLA Rohit Pawar alleged on Wednesday.
Citing negligence on the part of the charter operator, Pawar said that the aircraft flying Shinde (then Maharashtra chief minister) in January 2023 entered the airspace of Iraq and Iran en route to Zurich without seeking overflight permission.
The aircraft was warned by the aviation authorities of both countries and had to return to Bahrain, where it had earlier refuelled for onward journey to Zurich.
“If VSR could handle a flight carrying the chief minister like this, it shows how negligent the company is. There have been several such grave lapses by VSR,” Pawar said in a press conference on Wednesday.
Pawar Jr has been demanding action against VSR Ventures following the January 28 accident in Baramati, which killed his uncle and the state’s deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar.
VSR Ventures Director V K Singh did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Last month, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation grounded four Learjet aircraft operated by VSR Ventures and initiated a slew of measures, including mandatory disclosures and a safety ranking for charter operators.
A safety audit was ordered of VSR Ventures following the accident, and it revealed non-compliances in areas of airworthiness, air safety, and flight operations, the DGCA had said.
Published on March 4, 2026