India, March 24 -- Raising serious doubts over the fatal plane crash that killed Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on January 28, NCP MLA Chetan Tupe on Monday demanded a detailed probe into an alleged last-minute change of crew, questioning the circumstances under which the switch was made hours before take-off.

Speaking in the Maharashtra Legislature under Rule 293, the Hadapsar MLA flagged claims made by NCP (SP) leaders that the original pilots assigned to operate the VSR Ventures aircraft were replaced at the last moment on January 28, allegedly because they were stuck in traffic.

Tupe questioned the explanation offered for the crew change. "When is there a traffic jam in Mumbai at 6am? How were the pilots stuck so early...