Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar Dies in Baramati Plane Crash; Five Killed
Mumbai, (28 January, 2026): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died early Wednesday after a chartered aircraft carrying him from Mumbai to Baramati crashed during an attempted landing, officials said. All five people on board—including Pawar, two crew members and two staff members—were killed. There were no survivors.
The accident occurred around 5:45 am near Baramati, Pawar’s home turf and political base. Preliminary information suggests the Learjet 45 veered off the runway while landing and caught fire on impact. Fire and rescue teams reached the site, but the intensity of the blaze ruled out any chance of rescue.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Pawar was travelling to Baramati to attend political meetings linked to local body and panchayat election preparations.
A central figure in Maharashtra politics for more than three decades, Pawar had served multiple terms as Deputy Chief Minister under different governments. His career, however, was also marked by controversy. He faced repeated political allegations related to irrigation projects in the state and was linked to the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank case. While police later filed closure reports citing lack of evidence, related Enforcement Directorate probes remained a point of political debate.
Pawar is survived by his wife, Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, and two sons. His sudden death has triggered shock across the state and raised questions about political succession within the ruling alliance and the NCP.
