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Pune, India — Ajit Anantrao Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a senior political leader, died on January 28, 2026, when a private charter plane he was travelling in crashed near Baramati Airport in Pune district. The fatal accident also claimed the lives of all four others on board.
The Crash
Pawar was en route from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, to his hometown Baramati to campaign for upcoming local elections when the aircraft — a Bombardier Learjet 45XR (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR Aviation — crashed during its landing attempt in the morning hours of January 28
The jet reportedly attempted a second approach to Baramati Airport’s runway and veered off the runway, burst into flames, and was destroyed on impact, killing everyone on board.
Officials said none of the five occupants survived. The victims included:
Ajit Pawar, 66 — Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister
Two of Pawar’s security staff
Two crew members including the pilot and co-pilot
Political and Public Reaction
The tragic death has triggered widespread shock and grief across the state and the nation. Senior political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed sorrow and highlighted Pawar’s long public service.
Maharashtra announced a three-day period of state mourning, with flags at half-mast and public events cancelled in respect to the late leader.
Ajit Pawar’s uncle, veteran politician Sharad Pawar, urged the public not to politicise the tragedy and ruled out conspiracy theories surrounding his nephew’s death.
Opposition and regional leaders, activists, and public figures have also paid tribute and called for thorough investigations into the causes of the crash.
Who Was Ajit Pawar?
Born into a prominent political family in Baramati, Pawar was a towering figure in Maharashtra politics and served as the Deputy Chief Minister. He led his faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and was instrumental in key state decisions, especially in the finance, governance, and cooperative sectors.
He was known for his role in state development, grassroots politics, and coalition governance at both state and national levels. His sudden death leaves a significant void in Maharashtra’s political landscape and has raised questions about future leadership and party dynamics.
Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched formal probes into the accident. Authorities are examining flight records, weather conditions, and communications from the aircraft’s final moments to determine the cause of the crash.
Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau – Government of India: https://aaib.gov.in/ (Official site of the bureau that investigates aircraft accidents)
