Ajit Pawar Dies In Maharashtra Plane Crash At 66

Maharashtra was plunged into shock and mourning on January 28, 2026, when Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others lost their lives in a devastating plane crash near Baramati airport in Pune district. The tragedy, which unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday, has not only shaken the state’s political landscape but also reignited debates over aviation safety and the recurrent loss of prominent Indian leaders in air disasters.

The ill-fated flight departed Mumbai at 8:10 a.m. IST, with Ajit Pawar en route to his home turf of Baramati to address a series of public meetings ahead of the upcoming zilla parishad and panchayat samiti elections scheduled for February 5. According to The Federal, the aircraft—a mid-size Learjet 45 operated by Delhi-based VSR Ventures—disappeared from radar around 8:45 a.m. and crashed at approximately 8:50 a.m., bursting into flames in an open field just 159 miles from its point of departure.

Eyewitnesses recounted a harrowing scene: the plane appeared unstable as it approached the ground before exploding on impact. Smoke billowed from the wreckage, drawing nearby residents and emergency crews to the site. Tragically, there were no survivors among the five people on board, which included Ajit Pawar, two of his staff members, and the flight crew.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that the pilot in command was Sumit Kapur, a seasoned aviator with over 16,500 hours of flying experience. The first officer, Shambhavi Pathak, was a young but highly qualified pilot. According to Pune Pulse, Pathak’s academic journey began at Air Force Bal Bharati School in Delhi, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics, Aviation, and Aerospace Science and Technology from the University of Mumbai. She further honed her skills at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy, earning recognition as a rising star in the business jet segment. Her untimely death, alongside Kapur’s, has been deeply mourned by friends and colleagues alike. As Sudhir, a traveler and chef, wrote on X: “She was a brilliant student, a great daughter, a very loving sibling and a very good friend. This is a personal loss as she was my daughter’s friend from KG class. Prayers.”

Ajit Pawar, 66, was a towering figure in Maharashtra politics and the nephew of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar. Known for his ability to mobilize rural voters and wield influence in the state’s sugar belt, Pawar had served as Deputy Chief Minister for six non-consecutive terms, working alongside chief ministers Prithviraj Chavan, Devendra Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray, and Eknath Shinde. He was also a key member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition in the state. As reported by the Associated Press, Pawar was traveling to campaign in local elections when the tragedy struck.

The Maharashtra government responded swiftly, declaring three days of state mourning as a mark of respect. All government offices were ordered closed for the day, and the national flag was flown at half-mast across the state. According to an official communication cited by The Federal, there would be no official entertainment during the mourning period, and authorities were directed to ensure strict compliance with these instructions.

Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow on X, calling Pawar “a committed public servant.” He added, “His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers.” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge echoed these sentiments, stating, “Having served the people of Maharashtra in various constitutional capacities, Shri Ajit Pawar shall be remembered as a seasoned politician who discharged his responsibilities towards his people with sincerity and astuteness. May his soul rest in peace.”

The crash has also reignited calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is set to conduct a detailed probe, with a special team dispatched to the crash site, according to reports from ANI and The Federal. However, several opposition leaders have demanded an even higher level of scrutiny. Congress president Kharge insisted there should be a probe, pointing to past aviation tragedies involving political leaders. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee went further, demanding a Supreme Court-monitored investigation, alleging that “all other agencies have been completely compromised.” She remarked, “It shows that there is no safety or security in this country, even for political leaders,” and hinted at underlying tensions within Pawar’s political affiliations in recent days.

The loss of Ajit Pawar has drawn attention to a grim pattern in Indian public life: the repeated deaths of senior politicians in aviation accidents. As The Federal noted, such tragedies have haunted Indian politics for decades, from the death of former Gujarat chief minister Balwantrai Mehta in 1965 to more recent incidents involving high-profile leaders. For many in Maharashtra, Pawar’s passing is especially poignant—he was often described as the best chief minister the state never had, a leader who combined political acumen with a deep commitment to public service.

Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP, and two sons, Jay and Parth. His death leaves a significant void in the state’s political leadership and has prompted an outpouring of grief from supporters, colleagues, and adversaries alike.

As the investigation into the crash unfolds, questions linger about the cause of the accident and the broader issue of aviation safety for public officials in India. For now, Maharashtra mourns not only the loss of a seasoned leader but also the tragic end of a journey that began with hope and purpose on a quiet Wednesday morning.