Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash; funeral on Thursday

Plane crash in Maharashtra's Baramati

At 8.46am IST, a plane crashed in Maharashtra's Baramati with multiple people on board.

Maharashtra's Deputy CM Ajit Pawar is also on the plane, authorities have confirmed.

'No survivors'

According to DGCA's initial information, "no person on board has survived the crash", ANI has reported.

The plane was carrying Ajit Pawar, Deputy CM of Maharashtra, along with 2 more personnel (1 PSO and 1 attendant) and 2 crew (PIC+FO).

Visuals from the spot

Rescue teams are still on site as they attempt to recover the bodies of those involved in the crash. Here's what it looks like right now:

Three bodies recovered so far

According to the Superintendent of Police of Pune, "so far, three bodies have been recovered from the wreckage and sent to Baramati Medical College."

He said to IANS, that family members are yet to identify the bodies; three other bodies are still trapped in the debris.

Who is Ajit Pawar?

Ajit Pawar is a prominent Indian politician from the state of Maharashtra, and has been known for his long and influential career with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Pawar served as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra several times under different governments.

He has also been regarded as a key figure in shaping the state's budgets and policies over at least three decades.

The veteran politician served as Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister in the Maharashtra government formed in late 2024.

Defence Minister 'deeply shocked' 

Rajnath Singh, India's Defence Minister, said he was "deeply shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar.

"He was known for his compassion for the people and his unwavering dedication to public service. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers, and admirers."

Sharad Pawr, Supriya Sule leaving for Pune

The 66-year-old was the nephew of veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar and cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule.

Sharad Pawar and Sule were in Delhi to attend the Parliament's budget session, and left for Baramati after receiving the news. Ajit Pawar is survived by wife Sunetra and sons Parth and Jay.

Crashed on second approach to airport

Ajit Pawar's aircraft was attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport when it crashed this morning, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24.

Take a look at the flight's path:

Modi offers condolences

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, offered his condolences tp his family and "countless admirers".

Calling him a "leader of the people", he said that Pawar had a "strong grassroots level connect".

"His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy."

Family reaches hospital

According to NDTV, Ajit Pawar's family has reached the hospital where Ajit Pawar's mortal remains lie.

Photos: Smoke rises after plane crashes

Amit Shah condoles demise

The Home Minister, Amit Shah, has condoled the death of Pawar, saying it has left his heart "deeply distressed".

"The way Ajit Pawar ji dedicated himself to the welfare of every section of society in Maharashtra over the past three and a half decades cannot be expressed in words," he said.

Shah recalled their meetings and said that Pawar would "engage in long discussions on numerous issues related to the welfare of the people of Maharashtra".

The Union Home Minister is also heading to Baramati, the site where the plane crash occured, according to Indian media.

Visuals from outside Pawar's home

Security seems to have been ramped up outside Ajit Pawar's residence, with barricading and uniformed men standing outside. Take a look:

Who were on board?

IANS has revealed official Information from Ajit Pawar’s Office.

It said that according to official sources, five people were on board the aircraft. The plane took off from Mumbai at 8.10am and was scheduled to land at 8.50am.

Those on board were:

1. Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister

2. Avish Jadhav, PSO to the Deputy Chief Minister

3. Sumit Kapoor, Pilot

4. Sambhavi Pathak, Pilot

5. Pinki Mali, Flight Assistant

What aircraft was Ajit Pawar on

The ill-fated flight carrying Ajit Pawar was operated by private aviation company VSR and involved a Learjet 45 XR VT-SSK aircraft, according to Flightradar24.

According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the aircraft departed Mumbai at 8.10 am and disappeared from radar around 8.46 am. The platform indicated the jet was attempting a second landing approach at Baramati when the crash occurred. Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill confirmed the aircraft caught fire after impact and those on board were rushed to hospital, though all five passengers were later confirmed dead.

Pawar’s itinerary

Pawar was travelling to Baramati to attend multiple public meetings ahead of local body elections; he was a dominant figure in Maharashtra politics and led a powerful faction of the NCP before rejoining the BJP-led state government as Deputy Chief Minister.

President Droupadi Murmu mourns

Indian President Droupadi Murmu condoled the death of Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar.

She wrote in a post on X: “The news of the death of several people, including Maharashtra's deputy chief minister Shri Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra, is extremely tragic. The untimely demise of Ajit Pawar ji is an irreparable loss. He will always be remembered for his special contribution to the development of Maharashtra, especially in the cooperative sector. I express my deep condolences to his family, supporters, and admirers. May God grant strength to the families of all others who lost their lives in this accident to bear this blow.”

Extremely heartbreaking, says Rahul Gandhi

As condolences pour in, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said the news of Pawar's death was 'extremely heartbreaking'.

In a post on X, he wrote: “The news of the demise of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar Ji and his fellow travellers in an airplane accident today is extremely heartbreaking.”

He added, “In this moment of grief, I stand with the people of Maharashtra. I extend my condolences to the entire Pawar family and their loved ones during this hour of sorrow.”

Eknath Shinde remembers co-deputy CM

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde has reacted to the NCP leader's death.

He told reporters, “Ajit Pawar’s demise is a great loss to the state. He was a studious, courageous and disciplined leader with a strong command over the administration. He never hesitated to say no to schemes and projects that would have put an unnecessary burden on the state exchequer. He was like an elder brother to me.”

Plane crash will be probed

While talking to press, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday described the death of his fellow Deputy CM Ajit Pawar as sad and unfortunate and said the aircraft accident that claimed his life will be probed.

Pawar was travelling to Baramati from Mumbai to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the February 5 zilla parishad elections in the state.

Pawar plane crash — what we know so far

• Reports: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar no more

• Ajit Pawar's plane crashes in Baramati

• Crash occurred around 8.46 am (IST)

• Plane crashed while attempting second landing

• Crash a few meters away from the airport

• Ajit Pawar, PSO, 1 attendant, 2 crew on board

Deeply shocking: Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the news of Ajit Pawar's death is "deeply shocking and profoundly distressing". "It is an untimely loss of a leader who had a long and promising political career ahead. No words can adequately express the immense grief that the bereaved family must be enduring during this difficult hour. I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Pawar family, his supporters and well-wishers," he said.

Importance of Baramati for Pawar family

Baramati is often called the 'fiefdom' and political stronghold of the Pawar family. For decades, it has been the foundation of the Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) influence in Maharashtra.

Ajit Pawar has represented Baramati and nearby areas several times, winning each election by a wide margin. This made it one of the safest seats for the NCP and showed his strong local support.

He maintained strong ties with co-operatives, sugar factories, irrigation bodies, and local institutions in the region — key levers of rural political power in western Maharashtra.

Baramati was often shown as a model constituency, with clear progress in irrigation, education, and infrastructure. This helped Ajit Pawar build a reputation as an effective administrator.

Any major political events, such as rallies, reconciliations, or election campaigns, took on extra significance when they began in Baramati. The area was more than just a constituency; it was seen as a symbol of the NCP's legitimacy and authority.

Atmosphere of sadness: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis offered his condolences and remembered Pawar as a good friend.

Speaking to the press, he said, "There is an atmosphere of sadness in the state. Losing a leader like him is an unprecedented loss. In personal life, he was a good friend. We faced many challenges together. At a time when he was contributing to Maharashtra's development, his untimely demise is a loss. We stand with his family. I, along with Eknath Shinde ji, will go to Baramati today. I have informed the PM and HM about the incident, and they have expressed sadness over it."

3-day mourning in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government has announced a three-day state mourning in respect of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar after he was killed in a plane crash. Today has also been declared a holiday in the state to mourn the loss.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he and deputy CM Eknath Shinde are heading to Baramati, and that the further course of action will be decided after speaking with Ajit Pawar’s family.

Eyewitness account

The crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has left the state in shock. A local resident living near the Baramati airstrip shared a harrowing account of the moments leading up to the crash.

"We live here and behind us there is an airstrip where we saw that a plane came and it did not land. It went further, but then it turned back after some time and started landing. But then it crash-landed just before the runway," the resident said.

According to the witness, the first responders acted quickly. "As soon as we saw that, we informed the people we knew around the airstrip, so the police and others came immediately. They tried to extinguish the fire. After 15 minutes, they could douse the fire, and when we went near, we saw a body lying there. It was completely burned and swollen. We could not identify it, but later, with the help of something in the hand, it was identified that it was the body of Dada (Ajit Pawar). Police team came to us and asked for water. We gave them, and they also asked for clothes to cover it, so we gave a new blanket from our house."

A big explosion: Eyewitness

Residents near the Baramati airstrip witnessed the crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. One eyewitness recalled the terrifying scene:

“For the first time, a plane flew over our house. I was with the buffaloes. It was around 8.46 am.  After that, the plane crashed and there was a big explosion. The flight didn't even reach the runway. Seeing the explosion, we got scared. We ran with buckets of water. There were some dead bodies lying scattered, so we covered them with blankets, and we were terrified," an eyewitness said.

Aircraft completely gutted

The private jet carrying Ajit Pawar and four others was completely charred in a tragic crash near the Baramati airstrip. Officials and investigators rushed to the site immediately to secure the area and recover the bodies.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and terrifying, with locals helping authorities extinguish the fire and cover the victims. The incident has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra, marking a sudden and devastating loss for the state's leadership and the Pawar family.

Take a look at the plane wreckage below:

Needs proper investigation: Mamata Banerjee 

The crash has prompted immediate calls for a thorough investigation. Director General of Civil Aviation Faiz Ahmed Kidwai confirmed that an official inquiry has been initiated to determine the cause of the accident.

Political leaders across the country have expressed shock and condolences. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Deeply shocked and stunned by the suddden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati today morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss. My condolences to his family including his uncle Sharad Pawar ji, and late Ajitji's all friends and followers. The incident needs proper investigation."

Other Indian leaders who died in aviation tragedies

The plane crash that claimed the life of Ajit Pawar adds to a long list of aviation accidents in India involving prominent political leaders and public figures.

Over the years, former chief ministers, defence chiefs, and senior politicians have lost their lives in both helicopter and airplane crashes, often caused by bad weather, technical malfunctions, or challenging terrain. For a detailed look at some of the most notable aviation tragedies in India, head to Khaleej Times.

Plane crash probe

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has announced that it will probe the tragic plane crash at Baramati airport, which claimed the life of Ajit Pawar and four others on Wednesday, PTI reported.

The aircraft, a Learjet 46 operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures, crash-landed at the airport with five people onboard, including crew members, according to the DGCA.

A senior official confirmed to PTI that the AAIB will visit the crash site and carry out a detailed investigation into the accident. The bureau is tasked with classifying aviation safety occurrences in India as accidents, serious incidents, or incidents and is responsible for conducting thorough investigations while recommending measures to enhance air travel safety.

CCTV captures moment of crash

CCTV cameras captured the moment the Learjet 46 crashed near Baramati Airport, killing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others.

The footage shows that at 8.46am on Wednesday, the aircraft struck the ground in a fireball, sending up a massive plume of smoke. The tragic visuals have shocked the nation and incident is now under official investigation.

Crew member's father speaks

In the aftermath of the charter plane crash in Baramati that killed Ajit Pawar and four others, family members of the crew have shared heart-wrenching accounts.

Shiv Kumar Mali, father of Pinki Mali, a crew member on the flight, said, “I spoke to her for the last time yesterday. She told me that she would head to Baramati with Ajit Dada and then go to Nanded. She promised to speak to me once she checked into a hotel…”

Pilots killed in the crash

The chartered aircraft that crash-landed near Baramati Airport, killing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, was flown by Captain Sumit Kapoor and Captain Shambhavi Pathak, both seasoned aviation professionals. VSR Aviation, which operated the flight, confirmed their identities to Indian media.

Captain Shambhavi Pathak

Among the five victims of the Baramati plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was Captain Shambhavi Pathak, the Pilot-in-Command. Daughter of an Army officer, Pathak completed her secondary education at Air Force Bal Bharati School (2016–2018) before pursuing commercial pilot and flight crew training at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy.

She earned a B.Sc in Aeronautics, Aviation, and Aerospace Science from the University of Mumbai and served as an Assistant Flying Instructor at the Madhya Pradesh Flying Club, holding a Flight Instructor Rating (A). Pathak also obtained a Frozen Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) from the DGCA, reflecting her high level of expertise and commitment to aviation.

Ajit Pawar's wife in Baramati

The family of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has rushed to Baramati following the plane crash that claimed his life. Sunetra Pawar, his wife, and his sister, Supriya Sule, have arrived at the site, while NCP chief Sharad Pawar left his residence to join them.

Moments before the crash

The Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, has said thay they will conduct an investigation "in a transparent and accountable manner".

Preliminary information indicates that visibility was poor at the site at the time of landing around 8.48am.

He described the incident, detailing that the pilot had said that the runway was not in sight. "After a go-around, the aircraft returned to land, and the pilot was again asked if the runway was visible for landing. Then, the pilot confirmed visibility of the runway. After ATC cleared landing, it was seen that the accident had occurred."

Before landing, ATC asked the pilot whether the runway was in sight, and he confirmed it was not. After a go-around, the aircraft returned to land, and the pilot was again asked if the runway was visible for landing. Then, the pilot confirmed visibility of the runway. After ATC cleared landing, it was seen that the accident had occurred."

PM Modi calls family

PM Narendra Modi spoke to NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar on the demise of Ajit Pawar and expressed his condolences.

Watch video

Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde arrive at Baramati airport

Funeral to take place tomorrow

The last rites of Ajit Pawar will be held at 11am on Thursday, January 29 and he will be accorded full state honours. The ceremony to take place in the morning at his native village, Katewadi.

Memorial to be built in Baramati

A memorial will be constructed in Baramati to honour the late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, fondly known as Ajit Dada. His last rites are scheduled for tomorrow morning at his native village, Katewadi.

From this evening, his mortal remains will be placed at the Vidya Pratishthan ground, giving the public an opportunity to pay their final respects to the veteran leader. The memorial will serve as a lasting tribute to his decades of service to Baramati and Maharashtra.

Sunetra Pawar, Supriya Sule in Baramati

The helicopter carrying Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife, his son and daughter-in-law, along with Praful Patel and Supriya Sule, has landed in Baramati.

Emotional scenes unfolded as Sunetra Pawar and Supriya Sule broke down while meeting members of the Pawar family, highlighting the deep grief surrounding the tragic loss of the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister.

Sequence of event leading to crash

The DGCA issued a detailed report on Learjet 45 Aircraft VT-SSK crash at Baramati Airport operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd. According to the statement, Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield and traffic information is provided by the instructors/pilot from the flying training organisations at Baramati. As per the statement of the person manning the ATC following are the sequence of events:

1. On January 28, 2026 the aircraft VI-SSK first came in contact with Baramati at 0818 IST.

2. The aircraft's next call was at 30 NM inbound to Baramati and they were released by Pune approach. They were advised to descend in Visual Meteorological conditions at pilot's discretion.

3. The crew enquired about the winds and visibility and they were informed that the winds were calm and visibility was around 3000 mts.

4. Next the aircraft reported on the final approach of Runway 11 and the runway was not in sight to them. They initiated a go-around in the first approach.

5. After Go Around, the aircraft was asked about its position and crew reported on final approach of runway 11.

6. They were asked to report runway in sight. They replied "runway is currently not in sight, will call when runway is in sight". After a few seconds they reported that the runway is in sight.

7. The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 11 at 0843IST, however, they did not give a readback of the landing clearance.

8. Next, the ATC saw the flames around the threshold of runway 11 at 0844 IST. The emergency services then rushed to the crash site.

9. The wreckage of the aircraft is located on the left side of the runway abeam threshold R/W 11.

Mamata Banerjee demands SC-monitored probe

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for a Supreme Court–monitored investigation into the plane crash. Expressing shock over the incident, Banerjee raised questions about the timing of the tragedy in relation to Pawar's recent political trajectory.

"Even political leaders are not safe in this country, let alone common people," she said to reporters, adding that she had recently heard claims suggesting Pawar was considering a shift away from the BJP. Banerjee said she trusted only the Supreme Court to oversee a fair probe, alleging that other agencies had been compromised.

Calling Pawar’s death a “great loss,” she extended condolences to his family, the people of Maharashtra, and Sharad Pawar, as demands for a transparent investigation grow louder.

Sharad Pawar, NCP leaders arrive in Baramati

NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar, along with NCP Working President Praful Patel, State NCP President Sunil Tatkare, and State Minister Hasan Mushrif, arrived at Vidya Pratishthan in Baramati to pay their last respects.

Senior party leaders and supporters gathered at the venue as the state continued to mourn the loss of one of its most influential political figures.

Investigation begins

Forensic team carries out investigation at the spot where the charter plane of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar crashed in Baramati this morning.

Sunetra Pawar receives mourners

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Sunetra Pawar to offer condolences following the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Governor Acharya Devvrat also arrived in Baramati to offer his condolences.

Visibility was poor: Aviation Minister

Union Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said that preliminary reports indicate poor visibility at Baramati Airport when the chartered aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed, killing him and four others.

Naidu, along with Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, flew to Pune to attend Pawar’s last rites. He confirmed that teams from the DGCA and AAIB have arrived at the site to investigate the accident.

Mortal remains to be shifted to Vidya Pratishthan

The mortal remains of Ajit Pawar will be shifted shortly to the Vidya Pratishthan ground, where further arrangements are being made.

Huge crowd gathered at Vidya Pratishthan

A huge crowd gathered at Vidya Pratishthan in Baramati to pay their last respects to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who tragically died in a plane crash earlier today. Supporters, well-wishers, and local residents came together to honor the veteran leader and offer condolences to his family.

VSR aviation director: 'It was pilot's decision'

The tragic charter plane crash in Baramati, which killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, has left the nation in shock. Vijay Kumar Singh, director and key owner of VSR Ventures Private Limited (VSR Aviation), which operated the ill-fated aircraft, shared his thoughts on the incident.

When asked that two landing attempts were made by the pilot before the plane crashed, Singh said it was a pilot's decision: "He made an approach from runway 29, and then he carried out a missed approach, after which he again tried to make an attempt from runway 11. I also have no contact with the pilots; they are not there. It is a very unfortunate decision."

He added that visibility issues may have played a role, but stressed that the aircraft itself was well-maintained and had no technical failures. Singh paid heartfelt tribute to the pilots, Captain Sumit Kapoor and Captain Shambhavi Pathak, calling them “extremely good human beings and extremely good pilots.”

Experienced pilots

VK Singh, director of VSR aviation, highlighted the extensive experience of both pilots: Captain Kapoor had over 16,000 hours of flight experience, while co-pilot Pathak had 1,500 hours, including work with Sahara, JetLite, and Jet Airways. “The Captain was very experienced on this type of aircraft,” Singh noted.

Reflecting on past incidents, Singh mentioned the 2023 Mumbai plane crash, which also involved poor visibility and heavy rain. “The pilot skidded off the runway after touchdown,” he said. Singh expressed deep sorrow for the families of the victims, calling the event a “very unfortunate incident” and offering his deepest condolences.

'Why should I ground aircraft?'

Questions are also being asked about the safety of the plane carrying Ajit Pawar. VK Sing said the aircraft was “very well-maintained” and that there was “absolutely” no problem or technical failure. He said the company has seven such planes, and sternly replied with a “why should I ground them?” when asked about the next steps.

“It is a very very dependable aircraft worldwide. Why should we ground them?” he said, speaking to reporters.

Maharashtra in mourning

The crash in Baramati has left Maharashtra reeling in shock, and India mourned the passing of Ajit Pawar and the four crew members. Investigators from the DGCA and AAIB continue their probe as the focus remains on understanding the circumstances behind the crash. The state funeral service will take place on Thursday, January 29.

Khaleej Times is now closing this live blog, we will continue to bring you the latest updates as the investigation proceeds.