PUNE: Maharashtra deputy CM
Ajit Pawar
refuted Saturday allegations that he contacted the Pune police commissioner regarding the
Porsche Taycan crash
involving the 17-year-old son of a prominent builder. Pawar also defended NCP (Ajit) MLA Sunil Tingre, who allegedly visited the police station after receiving a call from the teenage driver's father.
"When there is a case of a serious nature, any elected representative visits the spot.
Being an MLA of that area, Tingre also visited the accident spot. But he did not influence the probe in any manner," said Pawar at a press meet.
The opposition has accused him of attempting to cover up the case. However, Pawar dismissed these allegations, saying: "I usually keep in touch with the
Pune CP
. But as far as the accident case is concerned, I have not made a single call to him. Had I called him, I would have told him to take strictest action against those guilty."
Addressing the issue of MLA Tingre's recommendation letter for
Dr Ajay Taware
, who has been arrested for allegedly manipulating the blood alcohol samples of the teenage driver, Pawar explained that elected representatives often have pre-signed recommendation letters handled by their assistants. "I accept that this practice is wrong. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the senior officials concerned, who should evaluate the merit of the candidate," he said.
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