Fresh questions have been raised over the timing and response of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after NCP MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that the regulator initially sought to clear VSR Ventures of wrongdoing before later acknowledging safety lapses linked to the Baramati plane crash that killed Ajit Pawar and four others.The crash involved a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures Private Limited, which went down near the Baramati airstrip in Pune district on January 28. Rohit Pawar claimed that a DGCA report issued soon after the incident cited no serious violations in the company’s February 2025 audit, suggesting an early attempt to absolve the operator.He questioned the regulator’s accountability, stating that certification of aircraft, oversight of maintenance and overall flight safety fall within the DGCA’s mandate. Pawar further stated that any lapse by the operator would also reflect on the regulator.He also referred to remarks made on the day of the crash by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who had said the aircraft had cleared all regulatory checks and that no safety concerns had been flagged during prior assessments.Pawar argued that these statements reinforced the impression that the operator had been cleared prematurely.However, following a special safety audit ordered after the crash, the DGCA on Tuesday directed the grounding of four aircraft operated by VSR Ventures after identifying multiple procedural violations.Pawar described the move as only a partial outcome of his repeated demands for action and said the audit had now confirmed gaps in areas such as airworthiness, operational safety and maintenance compliance, issues he had earlier raised publicly.He said the regulator’s latest findings effectively acknowledge earlier concerns but have come after a fatal delay. He also questioned why the action was limited to grounding a few aircraft, arguing that all planes linked to the company should be withdrawn from service.According to Pawar, the DGCA’s corrective approach leaves scope for the operator to resume operations upon compliance, which he described as indirect relief.The MLA further alleged that the regulator acted only under sustained pressure and initially attempted to shield the company. He called for accountability beyond the operator, demanding action against DGCA officials and seeking the resignation of the civil aviation minister.Expanding his criticism, Pawar claimed that a firm involved in aviation coordination in Maharashtra had cleared the aircraft for flight on the day of the crash and deemed weather conditions suitable. He said this entity, along with state officials aware of the flight movement, should also come under scrutiny.He also alleged possible links between individuals associated with the minister’s party and the company, claiming this may have influenced the handling of the case. Pawar said he would continue to press for accountability at all levels, including criminal proceedings against those found responsible.