Inadvertently mentioned incorrect timing of plane crash involving Ajitdada: NCP (SP) member Rajesh Tope

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Former cabinet minister and NCP (SP) member Rajesh Tope on Thursday clarified that he had mistakenly mentioned the wrong timing of the plane crash that claimed the life of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Jan 28.Soon after the tragedy, Tope had told reporters that he was among the first to be alerted about the crash by a youth employed at the Baramati airport, saying the message reached him between "7.15am and 7.30am". CCTV footage later, however, showed that the aircraft actually crashed at 8.44am, and Tope's earlier statement began circulating widely on social media, fuelling conspiracy theories about Ajit Pawar's death.In a social media post, Tope said, "The sudden demise of Ajitdada was a severe shock to all of us. While speaking to the media on this tragic occasion, I inadvertently mentioned an incorrect time regarding when I received the news. I request everyone to understand the situation during this difficult and sensitive period."Speculation around the crash intensified after West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee hinted that Ajit Pawar's death might not have been accidental. NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar quickly dismissed such apprehensions, calling the crash an accident. Subsequently, NCP MLC Amol Mitkari also expressed doubts and demanded more information, including black box data and CCTV footage from the Mumbai airport, where Ajit Pawar boarded the flight. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut too had raised questions regarding the circumstances of the crash.