Suspended Trinamool leader Riju Dutta claims 50 MLAs might defect from party, compares split to Shiv Sena

Mumbai, March 4 (IANS) NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), alleging a massive cover-up in the investigation into the plane crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on January 28.

This marks the third press conference by Rohit Pawar regarding the incident, following previous briefings on February 10 and 19.

Presenting video evidence and screenshots, Pawar claimed the official report is riddled with factual errors and appears designed to protect influential individuals and the aviation company, VSR.

Rohit Pawar expressed deep suspicion regarding the integrity of the probe. “I am not against VSR or the DGCA personally, but it is evident that someone is using the DGCA to shield these companies,” he stated.

“Is this ‘save-the-guilty’ program happening at the behest of a powerful individual? If so, the truth behind whether Ajit Dada’s death was an accident or a conspiracy will never surface,” he said.

Rohit Pawar highlighted several technical discrepancies in the AAIB report with regard to flight hours, fuel levels.

While the report suggests the aircraft had remaining flight hours, Pawar claimed the plane had exceeded its official engine life by over 3,000 hours.

“The aircraft reportedly carried 90-95 per cent fuel capacity,” he said.

Pawar questioned why such an excessive amount of fuel was loaded if the flight plan was standard, suggesting it might have been “intentional.”

He further brought to notice the left vs right discrepancy. Using a video of the crash, he pointed out a basic observational error. “The report claims the plane banked to the right, but the footage clearly shows it tilting to the left. If they can’t even get the direction of the fall right, how can we trust the rest of the report?” he asked.

Rohit Pawar mocked the seriousness of the investigators, noting that the official report erroneously refers to Baramati as a “district” and describes the Baramati Municipal Council as a “Municipal Corporation.”

“If they cannot get basic geography right after a month of investigation, how serious were they about the technicalities?” he asked.

He further noted that the report claims the plane hit trees, whereas the crash site only contained small shrubs that the aircraft never even touched.

He alleged that there seems to be a pre-planned conspiracy. He stated that locals reported seeing unidentified individuals conducting a reconnaissance of the area days before the crash.

“We demand that the CBI and CID investigate the criminal angle. When we ask the CID, they say they are waiting for the DGCA report. But this report is full of holes,” Pawar said.

He also questioned why the names of the investigation team members were omitted from the final document — a departure from standard practice seen in previous crash reports.

Rohit Pawar raised questions regarding the decision to fly in low visibility. He cited the Tyagi Committee recommendations (formed after the death of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy), which strictly prohibits VIP movement in poor visibility.

He demanded an FIR against ‘Aero’ company officials, alleging they provided false clearance regarding weather conditions.

Rohit Pawar concluded by stating that the absence of Black Box photos in the report further proves that facts are being manipulated to mislead the public.

–IANS

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Patna, July 26 (IANS) A new poster outside the Janata Dal (United) state office in Patna stirred the political atmosphere in Bihar on Saturday, as several party workers publicly demanded that Nishant Kumar, son of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, enter active politics and contest elections.

The poster, prominently displayed on Veer Chand Patel Path, reads: ‘Workers demand, Nishant should contest elections’.

It features Nishant Kumar’s photograph and has been attributed to four local JDU workers—Sushil Kumar, Abhay Patel, Varun Kumar, and Chandan Patel.

Speaking to the media, the workers said that Bihar and the party need “new energy” and that Nishant Kumar embodies the leadership qualities of his father.

“Engineer Nishant should lead JDU and take Bihar forward just like Nitish Kumar has done. We want him to contest elections, enter the Assembly and lead the youth,” said Abhay Patel.

Sushil Kumar echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Nishant Bhaiya should come into active politics and become an inspiration for the future generation.”

While the party leadership has yet to issue a formal response, JDU spokesperson Arvind Kumar said, “Workers are putting up posters demanding Nishant Kumar’s entry into politics. Whether he contests or not is a decision for Nitish Kumar and Nishant to make.”

The move has attracted reactions across party lines.

BJP spokesperson Arvind Kumar Singh commented, “In a democracy, anyone has the right to contest elections. The demand from JDU workers is welcome, but the final decision rests with Nishant and Nitish Kumar.”

RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari took a political swipe, saying, “JDU wants Nishant to enter politics. Even Tejashwi Yadav has welcomed this earlier. But the reality is, there are elements in both the BJP and JDU who do not want to see Nishant step into politics.”

Until now, Nishant Kumar has maintained a low public profile and stayed away from active politics, despite being the son of one of Bihar’s longest-serving chief ministers.

However, he has recently made several public appearances, sparking speculation about a potential political entry.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, Nov 3 (IANS) A shocking incident has been reported from an apartment building in Bagalur, Bengaluru, on Monday, where a domestic worker brutally killed a puppy by smashing it to the floor inside a lift. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Bagalur police station in Bengaluru.

Raashi Poojari, the owner of the deceased pet, lodged a police complaint against the maid involved in the act. The accused has been identified as Pupalatha, who was hired specifically to take care of the dog.

The woman was being paid for looking after the pet and had also been provided with accommodation and food at her employer’s residence.

According to the preliminary investigation, the accused committed this cruel act while taking the dog out for a walk. The incident took place on October 31 but came to light only recently. After killing the pet, the woman was seen in CCTV footage carrying the dead puppy in one hand and walking out of the lift.

Pupalatha had been working at Raashi’s home for a few months. The puppy, named Goofy, died as a result of the brutal act inside the lift. Once the CCTV footage surfaced, Raashi filed a police complaint. The footage showing the accused pulling the dog’s body by its leash and walking out of the lift has sparked public outrage.

The CCTV clip has since gone viral, leading to widespread condemnation from animal lovers. It shows the woman swinging and repeatedly smashing the small dog to the floor by its leash — an act of shocking cruelty.

After killing the dog, Pushpalatha had fabricated a story claiming that the puppy had accidentally fallen while coming out of the lift. However, when the pet’s owner questioned the security personnel about the incident, she received details that raised suspicion.

Upon checking the CCTV footage, the cruel act came to light. A case has been registered against Pushpalatha at the Bagalur police station.

Animal welfare activists have expressed strong outrage over the incident. The police have launched an investigation. The pet owner stated that there had been no prior issues with Pupalatha. Further investigation is underway.

–IANS

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