Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and five others died in a tragic Learjet 45 plane crash near Baramati during landing. DGCA has launched an investigation as political leaders express grief nationwide.
In a tragic aviation disaster that has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and the nation, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar was killed along with five others in a plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday morning. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all passengers on board the aircraft lost their lives in the accident.
According to official flight details, the ill-fated aircraft was a Learjet 45 bearing registration number VT-SSK, operated by VSR Aviation. The jet had departed from Mumbai and was attempting to land near Baramati when it reportedly lost control during the landing phase and crashed at around 9 a.m., approximately an hour after takeoff.
Apart from Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the passengers on board included his personal security officer (PSO), an attendant, and two crew members. The deceased have been identified as Vidip Jadhav (male), Pinky Mali (female), Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Sumit Kapur, and Second-in-Command (SIC) Shambhavi Pathak. Officials said that the identities were confirmed based on the passenger manifest and preliminary identification procedures.
Emergency Response and Rescue Operations
Immediately after the crash, emergency services were rushed to the scene. Fire tenders, ambulances, police personnel, and disaster response teams reached the crash site within minutes. Senior security officials and district administration officers also arrived to coordinate rescue and recovery efforts.
Visuals from the site showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the mangled remains of the aircraft, with debris scattered across the crash area. Locals were among the first to reach the site and attempted to assist rescue teams in every possible way before authorities secured the area.
Three bodies were rushed to Baramati Medical College for post-mortem examination, while efforts were underway to recover and identify the remaining victims. Pune Superintendent of Police confirmed that forensic and medical teams were working to complete the formal identification process following established protocols.
DGCA Investigation Underway
A high-level team from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has reached Baramati to begin a detailed investigation into the cause of the crash. Officials said the aircraft appeared to have encountered difficulties during the final approach, though the exact reason—whether technical failure, weather conditions, or human error—will be determined only after a comprehensive inquiry.
The DGCA has also ordered a review of the aircraft’s maintenance records, pilot flight logs, and air traffic control communications. Aviation experts noted that while the Learjet 45 is generally considered a reliable business jet, landing-phase accidents often require close examination of multiple contributing factors.
Political Shock and National Mourning
The sudden demise of Ajit Pawar has triggered an outpouring of grief from political leaders across party lines. President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss, calling it an “irreparable loss” to Maharashtra and the nation.
In a message posted on social media platform X, the President said that the news of the deaths, including that of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, was deeply saddening. She highlighted Ajit Pawar’s significant contributions to the state’s development, particularly in the cooperative and agricultural sectors, and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take stock of the situation. According to state government officials, both leaders were briefed on the accident, rescue operations, and the steps being taken to investigate the crash.
Family and Party Leaders Rush to Baramati
Following the news of the crash, Ajit Pawar’s family members rushed to Baramati. His wife and Member of Parliament Sunetra Pawar, son Parth Pawar, and other close relatives were reportedly en route from Delhi at the time of the incident. Senior NCP leaders, including working president Supriya Sule, also headed to the crash site to support the family and assess the situation.
The tragedy comes at a politically sensitive time, as elections to the Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis are currently underway in Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar was traveling to Baramati to attend a public meeting as part of the ongoing campaign.
A Series of Aviation Scares
This fatal accident follows a series of aviation-related incidents involving senior leaders in the region. In October 2024, a helicopter intended to pick up NCP leader Sunil Tatkare crashed in Pune, raising concerns over flight safety during adverse weather conditions. There have also been previous instances of emergency landings in western Maharashtra due to sudden weather changes.
Aviation analysts have pointed out the need for stricter safety audits, especially for chartered and VIP aircraft operations, to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Nation Awaits Answers
As investigations continue, the nation mourns the loss of a prominent political leader and five others whose lives were cut short in the devastating crash. Authorities have assured that all necessary steps will be taken to determine accountability and improve aviation safety standards.
| Also Read: India-EU Deal sparks panic among Khalistani Terror Networks |
More details are expected to emerge as the DGCA probe progresses and official findings are made public.
