Plane Crash Kills Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Four Others – Tragedy in Baramati
In a tragic aviation accident on January 28, 2026, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Anantrao Pawar was killed when the private jet he was travelling in crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport in Pune district, officials and news agencies reported.
The chartered aircraft, a Learjet 45XR (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR Aviation, was flying from Mumbai to Baramati — Pawar’s hometown — when it went down during its second landing approach in the early morning hours.
Details of the Crash
According to preliminary accounts from aviation authorities and eyewitnesses, the jet encountered trouble while making its final descent toward the runway. The aircraft reportedly veered off course and crashed into an open field near the runway threshold, bursting into flames upon impact.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but there were no survivors, with all six people on board — including Pawar, two crew members and three others — confirmed dead.
Eyewitnesses described the crash as horrifying, with multiple explosions and a fireball visible shortly after the aircraft hit the ground. Locals attempted to assist but were prevented by the intensity of the blaze.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident, which may have involved factors such as technical failure or operational issues during the landing approach.
Who Was Ajit Pawar?
Ajit Pawar, aged 66 at the time of his death, was one of Maharashtra’s most influential politicians and the state’s Deputy Chief Minister. He belonged to the prominent Pawar political family, known for its deep roots in Maharashtra’s cooperative sector and state politics.
Pawar held the position of Deputy CM in multiple administrations and was widely recognised for shaping financial and rural development policy. He had a long political career spanning several decades and played a key role in state governance.
At the time of the crash, Pawar was travelling to address a series of public meetings in the run-up to the Zilla Parishad elections in Baramati, reflecting his active engagement in regional political processes.
Political Impact and Reactions
The sudden death of Ajit Pawar sent shockwaves across Indian politics, especially in Maharashtra, where he was a senior leader aligned with the ruling coalition at the state level.
National leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed their condolences and grief over the loss. President Droupadi Murmu termed Pawar’s death an “irreparable loss” and praised his contributions to the social and economic development of Maharashtra.
Other political figures and parties also extended their sympathies, highlighting Pawar’s long service and the vacuum his passing creates in the state’s political landscape.
Regional Response
In Baramati and across Maharashtra, supporters and citizens mourned the loss of a leader who had been closely associated with local welfare and political mobilisation for decades. Social media and news outlets were flooded with tributes, reflecting the depth of public sentiment following the crash.
Aviation Safety and the Ongoing Investigation
The DGCA has taken over the crash site to conduct a thorough investigation into the sequence of events leading up to the accident. Preliminary focus includes examining weather conditions, flight data, aircraft maintenance records and crew communications during the approach to Baramati Airport.
Officials have not yet released a detailed timeline or conclusive cause, and final reports may take weeks to complete. Investigators are expected to collaborate with aviation safety experts and international technical advisors as part of the probe.
Remembering Ajit Pawar
Ajit Pawar’s sudden passing marks one of the most significant political tragedies in recent Indian history. Whether viewed through the lens of aviation safety concerns or the political instability that follows, the crash will prompt serious discussions about both airline operations for charter flights and the future of governance in Maharashtra.
As official inquiries continue and communities honour his legacy, the full impact of his death will unfold over the coming weeks.
