Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s plane crash landed at Baramati airport Wednesday morning. The Nationalist Congress Party leader was on the plane, along with four others, including plane crew members. No person on board survived the crash.
Several videos have emerged in which charred remains of the aircraft can be seen at the accident site. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the probe of the crash. Officials from AAIB and DGCA have begun the investigation at the site.
Baramati is a traditional stronghold of the Pawar family.
Tributes have been pouring in from across the political spectrum, with leaders from various parties remembering him as a committed leader. In a statement, Pawar’s NCP Wednesday paid tribute to its chief, calling the incident “extremely painful and heart-wrenching for the entire Nationalist Congress family as well as the whole of Maharashtra”.
In July 2023, Ajit Pawar along with his loyalists broke away from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—led by his uncle Sharad Pawar—and joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)–Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra.
Ajit Pawar’s family, including his wife Sunetra, his sons Jay and Parth, uncle Sharad, and cousin Supriya Sule, are present in Baramati.
AJIT PAWAR NO MORE | LIVE UPDATES
1.10 pm: Tributes pour in
Samajwadi Party leader Rajeev Rai says the crash that killed Ajit Pawar is a “tragic incident”.
He added, “The sudden death of such a prominent leader raises concerns, but I cannot say much at this time. My condolences are with his family and dear ones…”
12.14 pm: Last rites complete
As the funeral concludes, Home Minister Amit Shah departs from Baramati
12.30 pm: Parth and Jay thank supporters
Parth and Jay Pawar fold their hands, apparently thanking the crowd and NCP workers at the funeral ground for their support.
12.15 pm: Funeral pyre is lit
#WATCH | Baramati | Parth and Jay, sons of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, light the funeral pyre as they perform the last rites of their father pic.twitter.com/RJpiVGtCu7
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2026
12.05 pm: Funeral ceremony begins
In Baramati, Ajit Pawar’s sons consign his mortal remains to flames.
#WATCH | Last rites of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar being performed with State honours in Baramati pic.twitter.com/XvxAsbRdKw
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2026
12 pm: Ministry says black box recovered, probe on
In a statement on X, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation said “all requisite response and investigative mechanisms” were activated immediately after the Baramati crash to ensure a “thorough, transparent and time-bound inquiry”.
The rest of the statement reads:
A team of three officers from AAIB, Delhi, and another team of three officers from the DGCA, Mumbai Regional Office, reached the crash site on 28 January. The Director General, AAIB, also arrived at the site the same day. The investigation is progressing expeditiously, and the black box of the ill-fated aircraft has been recovered.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) remains fully committed to completing the investigation within a defined timeframe, strictly in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and laid-down guidelines.
The investigation has been initiated in accordance with Rules 5 and 11 of the AAIB Rules, 2025.
11.45 am: Amit Shah pays tribute
The Home Minister lays down a floral wreath on Ajit Pawar’s mortal remains. He is followed by BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Goa CM Pramod Sawant and Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
11.40 am: Leaders demand accountability
In Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut raises questions about the cause of the crash that killed Ajit Pawar.
“The truth should be revealed to us, to the public. A towering leader like Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra… died in a plane crash. Not only Maharashtra, but the entire country is in shock. How did this happen? What technical fault was there? This should come to light,” he says.
Shiv Sena’s Shaina NC meets the family of another person on the flight. “Entire Maharashtra is mourning Ajit Dada today, and it is natural. I also express condolences to the (Pinki) Mali family… It should be seen how we can keep flight attendants, pilots and all airlines safe and secure so that such accidents do not recur,” she says.
11.30 am: Family pays last respects to Ajit Dada
Sunetra, Jay and Parth Pawar pay their last respects. Senior NCP leader Supriya Phule is seen consoling the three as the family readies to consign Ajit Pawar’s mortal remains to flames.
Aerial visuals of Vidya Pratishthan, where the last rites of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar are being performed, show hundreds of supporters gathered at the ground.
#WATCH | Baramati | Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar & Rajya Sabha MP, pays last respects to her husband, who lost his life in a plane crash yesterday pic.twitter.com/4d33AMIk2a
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2026
#WATCH | Baramati | Drone visuals from Vidya Pratishthan ground where the last rites of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar are being performed. pic.twitter.com/2icmo7OPpV
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2026
11.20 am: Sons perform last rites
Ajit Pawar’s sons Parth and Jay perform his last rites.
11.15 am: Ceremony on
The Tricolour, draped over mortal remains of Ajit Pawar, is handed over to his son Jay before last rites.
Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are at the funeral ceremony. Shah is seen meeting NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar briefly.
#WATCH | Baramati | The National Flag, draped over the mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar during the State funeral, handed over to his son Jay Pawar before the last rites pic.twitter.com/lHGFkUdv4D
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2026
11.05 am: Funeral of Pawar’s security officer held last night
The last rites of Vidip Dilip Jadhav, personal security officer (PSO) of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, —who was also on the plane with him—were performed by his family in their native village in Satara Wednesday night.
The rites were performed by his young son.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: The last rites of Vidip Dilip Jadhav, the personal security officer (PSO) of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, were performed by his family in their native village in Satara last night. His young son performed the last rites.
Jadhav was also on board the ill-fated… pic.twitter.com/X3BHTddLZO
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2026
10.45 am: Top leaders arrive for funeral
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have arrived in Baramati for Ajit Pawar’s funeral.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is present at the Vidya Pratishthan ground, along with Ajit’s uncle Sharad Pawar. Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh is also present.
Home Minister Amit Shah lands in Baramati, accompanied by BJP National President Nitin Nabin.
#WATCH | Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President Nitin Nabin arrive in Baramati to attend the last rites of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar pic.twitter.com/XaQ1ZvldBp
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2026
10.40 am: Saamana mourns Ajit Pawar’s demise
Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana has paid tribute to the deceased deputy CM in an editorial, describing him as a natural leader who demonstrated independent leadership despite working under his uncle Sharad Pawar’s shadow.
It added that his sudden death is a cruel blow to Maharashtra, robbing the state of a strong and large-hearted leader.
10.30 am: Probe continues at crash site
Meanwhile, the investigation is underway at the crash site. Officials from DGCA and Forensics are present.
Pune Rural Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) at the Baramati Taluka Police Station in connection with the crash and have initiated further investigation, ANI reported.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Visuals from the site in Baramati where a charter plane crash landed yesterday, claiming the lives of all five people on board, including Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Officials from DGCA and Forensics are investigating at the crash site https://t.co/zqofGtxhEW pic.twitter.com/FnSqhOgfRi
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2026
10.20 am: Ajit Pawar’s funeral procession
Baramati residents and supporters gather on the streets to pay their last respects to Ajit Pawar as his mortal remains are taken to the cremation ground.
#WATCH | Baramati | The hearse van carrying the mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar moves towards Vidya Pratishthan ground for the last rites. People gather on the street to pay him their last respects. pic.twitter.com/KOkWN1eHAJ
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2026
10.10 am: Maharashtra Deputy CM accorded full state honours
Visuals from Ajit Pawar’s residence in Katewadi, Baramati before his mortal remains are taken to the cremation ground. His wife, Sunetra, and their sons, Parth and Jay, are seen.
#WATCH | Katewadi, Baramati | Full state honours accorded to Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who lost his life in a charter plane crash in Baramati yesterday
Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra Pawar, and their sons, Parth and Jay, are present. pic.twitter.com/WTQQg5LHXr
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2026
10.00 am: Ajit Pawar’s funeral today
The last rites of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar will be held at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati at 11 am. Preparations are currently underway.
The van carrying his mortal remains has left his residence in Katewadi.
#WATCH | Baramati, Maharashtra: The hearse van carrying the mortal remains of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar leaves from his Katewadi residence. His last rites will be performed at Vidya Pratishthan ground. pic.twitter.com/jvSDDKaiLq
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2026
8.30 pm: Fadnavis says Mamata shouldn’t have made such a statement
Reacting to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s statement on the plane crash that killed NCP leader Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis termed her remarks “very unfortunate”.
“Senior leader Sharad Pawar himself has very clearly stated that an accident occurred, and tragically, lives were lost in the accident, and that politics should not be played over this. I am deeply saddened that we have reached such a point where such dirty and despicable politics are being played out even over someone’s death. I am very sad that Mamata Didi is stooping to such a low level in politics; it is very unfortunate and completely wrong. She should not have made such a statement,” Fadnavis said.
7.30 pm: Mortal remains being taken to Vidya Pratishthan ground
Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s mortal remains are being taken from a hospital in Baramati to the Vidya Pratishthan ground where it will be kept for the public to pay their last respects.
#WATCH | Baramati, Pune: Mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar being taken from Baramati hospital
His remains will be kept at Vidya Pratishthan ground for the public to pay their last respects pic.twitter.com/6E2QsEhOft
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
7 pm: Sharad Pawar breaks silence
Breaking his silence on the death of his nephew, NCP founder Sharad Pawar ruled out any conspiracy angle in the air accident in which Ajit Pawar and four others lost their lives.
“This is a huge loss for Maharashtra. Maharashtra has lost a dynamic and decisive leader. Some people are saying there is some politics behind this, but it was an accident, and there is no politics involved. Politics should not be brought into this,” the octogenarian told the media in Baramati.
Meanwhile, the IAF acting on an urgent request from the Maharashtra government deployed a team of ATC personnel from the Air Force Station Lohegaon to Baramati airport to assist with efficient air traffic management.
6.40 pm: US watchdog had flagged issues with Learjet aircraft
US-based National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had flagged “defects” in the landing gear of the Learjet 45 in 2025. According to NTSB’s report, the flaws in the Learjet 35 became evident during a probe into a February 2025 runway collision in Arizona.
Read this report by Mayank Kumar to know more.
5.40 pm: Fadnavis, Shinde meet Sunetra Pawar
CM Fadnavis, Deputy CM Shinde and Governor Acharya Devvrat meet Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife in Baramati.
Governor Acharya Devvrat, CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, met Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, in Baramati.
Ajit Pawar died in a crash landing of a charter plane in Baramati this morning. pic.twitter.com/HEOwpsVfKr
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
5.25 pm: Forensic team at crash site
Forensic experts carry out investigation at the site of the aircraft crash in Baramati.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Forensic team carries out investigation at the spot where the charter plane of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar crashed in Baramati this morning.
All five people onboard the aircraft died in the accident. pic.twitter.com/SI2Oi5j3JE
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
5.15 pm: ThePrint reports from the ground
5.00 pm: ‘Dedicated worker, NCP’s guiding pillar’
In a statement, Ajit Pawar’s NCP Wednesday paid tribute to its chief, calling the incident “extremely painful and heart-wrenching for the entire Nationalist Congress family as well as the whole of Maharashtra”.
“The esteemed Shri Ajit ‘dada’ Pawar was not merely the president of the Nationalist Congress family; he was the guiding pillar who steadfastly steered the party’s chariot forward even through the most arduous times on his own shoulders. Beginning his political career in 1991, he never once looked back. Over his nearly 35-year-long political journey, he shaped countless workers, built leadership, and relentlessly fought for the issues of the people,” read the statement posted on the party’s X account.
It added, “Elevating the standard of living for Maharashtra’s 13 crore people, extending development to the grassroots level, and leading the state along with the nation to the pinnacle of progress—these were the central foci of his work. He always presented and resolved the struggles of the common man, farmers, labourers, youth, and women with affection, empathy, and unwavering resolve.”
कामाच्या माणसाला महाराष्ट्र मुकला…
राष्ट्रवादी काँग्रेस पक्षाचे अध्यक्ष आणि महाराष्ट्र राज्याचे उपमुख्यमंत्री मा.श्री. अजितदादा पवार यांचं आज सकाळी एका दुर्दैवी विमान दुर्घटनेत दुःखद निधन; ही घटना राष्ट्रवादी काँग्रेस परिवारासह संपूर्ण महाराष्ट्रासाठी अत्यंत वेदनादायी आणि हृदय… pic.twitter.com/UlzkuoDQOJ
— MahaNCPspeaks (@mahancpspeaks) January 28, 2026
4.30 pm: Pawar’s last rites to be held at 11 am Thursday
The last rites of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar will be held with full state honours Thursday in Baramati, Pune district at the Vidya Pratishthan ground at 11 am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to attend the funeral.
4.20 pm: ‘Visibility was poor when plane crashed,’ says aviation minister
Union Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu has said that according to preliminary information, visibility at Baramati airport was poor when aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy CM Pawar crashed, reports PTI. Naidu and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol have flown to Pune from Delhi to attend Pawar’s last rites.
“Teams from the DGCA and AAIB have arrived to carry out a probe into the accident. Preliminary information suggests that visibility was poor at the time the aircraft was attempting to land,” said Naidu.
4.10 pm: Sequence of events leading to the crash
According to the person manning the ATC, the aircraft VI-SSK first came in contact with Baramati at 8.18 am, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said. When the crew enquired about the winds and visibility, they were informed that winds were calm and visibility was around 3,000 metres.
The aircraft reported on final approach of Runway 11, and the runway was not in sight to them. The crew initiated a go-around in the first approach, after which they were again asked to report runway in sight. To this, they replied, “Runway is currently not in sight, will call when runway is in sight.”
However, after a few seconds, they reported that the runway was in sight. The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 11 at 8.43 am, but there was no readback of the landing clearance. The ATC then saw the flames around the threshold of runway 11 at 8.44 am, after which emergency services rushed to the crash site.
A CCTV camera nearby captured the moment the plane crashed.
3.35 pm: Fadnavis, Shinde arrive at crash site
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, accompanied by Governor Acharya Devvrat, have reached the plane crash site in Baramati.
#WATCH | Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde arrive at Baramati airport
Ajit Pawar died in a crash landing of a charter plane in Baramati this morning. pic.twitter.com/jdz52joanw
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
3.30 pm: AAIB team enroute Baramati
A group of Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) officials has left for Maharashtra’s Baramati to investigate the plane crash, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has said. A special team will carry out the investigation, retrieving the flight recorder, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) and Digital Engine Electronic System (DEES). Airframe and engine logbooks, work orders, on-board documents, and major inspection records related to aircraft will be gathered from the operator for scrutiny.
The probe team has also sought DGCA documents related to the crew and aircraft. Recordings of radar data, CCTV footage, ATC tape recordings, and hotline communications will be obtained for further analysis. The statements of witnesses and concerned personnel will also be recorded.
3.00 pm: Ajit Pawar’s personal security officer among those killed in crash
Among those killed in the Baramati crash was Ajit Pawar’s personal security officer, Vidip Dilip Jadhav.
Neighbours gathered Wednesday outside his house in Thane, which was locked. One of the neighbours told ANI that he is survived by his parents, wife, daughter and son.
“The government should provide them with some compensation as he has a family. The crash should be investigated and action should be taken against the company concerned,” she said.
#WATCH | Shruti Walekar, a neighbour of Vidip Dilip Jadhav, says, "…This is really sad. He is survived by his parents, wife, daughter and son. The government should provide them with some compensation as he has a family. The crash should be investigated and action should be… pic.twitter.com/klocEoiB4Y
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
2.45 pm: Brash, tireless, ambitious, the ‘Dada’ from Baramati
Ajit Pawar will be known as the longest-serving deputy CM of Maharashtra, though non-consecutively, so far. He has occupied that office six times. And while he nourished an ambition to lead the state from the front, take up the CM’s post, that desire will now remain unfulfilled.
Bureaucrats in Mantralaya remember Pawar as a politician with the best attendance in the secretariat. Unless he was travelling for work, he would be in his office at 8 am every day. He would call people for appointments as early as 6 am, and would even schedule his field visits at 5 am or 6 am, making it a habit for bureaucrats working with him to start their day very early.
Ajit Pawar was very unlike his uncle Sharad Pawar or cousin Supriya Sule in the way he carried himself in public life. Deep frowns, tart words, and rude dismissals of his followers were all part of the package that “Ajit dada” was.
His most controversial statement to date—“should I pee to fill up empty dams”—made at a time when distressed farmers were complaining to him about acute water shortage in April 2013, was a gaffe caused by this very demeanour. He later apologised for “hurting people’s sentiments”.
His brash, rustic style of speaking meant that he found himself in such sticky spots one too many times. Last year, he rebuked a young IPS officer, Anjana Krishna, who was taking action against illegal sand mining. On a call with Krishna, the video of which went viral, Pawar purportedly chided her when she was taking action against illegal soil excavation in a Solapur village.
NCP members close to him say they saw the man beyond the caustic words. “In reality, Ajit dada is as sweet as the aam ras (mango juice) on my plate,” an NCP leader once told ThePrint over a Gujarati thali (meal).
Manasi Phadke reports.
2.30 pm: Ajit Pawar’s last rites to be performed with full state honours
Maharashtra General Administration Department (Protocol) has announced that the last rites of the Deputy CM will be performed with full state honours. During the three-day mourning period, national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings across the state where it is regularly hoisted. No government entertainment programmes will be organised during this period. All state government offices across Maharashtra will remain closed Wednesday.
2.15 pm: Sharad Pawar arrives at Baramati hospital
NCP (SCP) chief and Ajit Pawar’s uncle, Sharad Pawar, arrives at Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical College, where the mortal remains of all five deceased were taken after the crash.
2.00 pm: ‘He did not let our relationship break’
Paying tribute to Ajit Pawar in a post on X, former Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray wrote, “I have lost a steadfast leader and an excellent colleague from my cabinet! When I was the Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar was the Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister. He was an extremely disciplined leader with a firm grip on his department and a deep understanding of the Finance Department. We developed a special bond as excellent colleagues. Ajit Pawar was open-hearted. He would speak his mind. He was not one to hold grudges for long. Even though he chose a different path in politics, he did not let our relationship break.”
एक खंबीर नेता व माझ्या मंत्रिमंडळातील मी उमदा सहकारी गमावला!
मी मुख्यमंत्री असताना अजित पवार हे उपमुख्यमंत्री, अर्थमंत्री होते. अत्यंत शिस्तप्रिय, आपल्या खात्यावर वचक व अर्थ विभागाचा अभ्यास असणारे ते नेते होते. एक उत्तम सहकारी म्हणून त्यांचे माझे विशेष नाते जमले. अजित पवार हे…
— Office of Uddhav Thackeray (@OfficeofUT) January 28, 2026
1.45 pm: NCP leaders mourn Ajit Pawar’s death
NCP leaders Babasahib Patil and Vikram Kale tearfully mourn the demise of Maharashtra Deputy CM.
1.25 pm: Lok Sabha pays tribute to Ajit Pawar
Speaker Om Birla paid homage to Pawar, who was also a former Lok Sabha MP, as the Budget Session of Parliament began Wednesday.
#WATCH | Lok Sabha pays obituary to Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who was a former MP. He died in a crash landing in Baramati this morning. pic.twitter.com/OzfLFG6Pfy
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
1.15 pm: Mamata calls for SC-monitored probe
West Bengal CM & Trinamool Congress chief reacted to Ajit Pawar’s death via a post on X. “My condolences to his family including his uncle Sharad Pawar ji, and late Ajitji’s all friends and followers. The incident needs proper investigation,” she wrote.
Deeply shocked and stunned by the suddden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati today morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss.
My condolences to his family including his uncle…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 28, 2026
1.00 pm: ‘Words fail me’: Aaditya Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray took to X to extend his “humble tribute” to Ajit Pawar and others killed in the crash.
“I had the opportunity to work with dada for 5–6 years… first in the government and then for a few days in the Opposition. His commanding grip on legislative affairs and his affectionate nature won over many like me. Even when I was in the Opposition, I had publicly said this many times,” he wrote.
अजित दादांची बातमी ही धक्कादायक आहे! शब्दच नाहीत.
दादांसोबत गेले ५–६ वर्षं काम करण्याची संधी मिळाली… पहिलं सरकारमध्ये आणि नंतर काही दिवस विरोधी पक्षात. त्यांची विधिमंडळ कारभारावर असलेली रुबाबदार पकड आणि प्रेमळ स्वभाव हा आमच्यासारख्या अनेकांना आवडायचा. मी हे विरोधी पक्षात असताना…
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) January 28, 2026
12.40 pm: What Flightradar24 says
Flight tracker data shows the Learjet 45 aircraft took off from Mumbai Wednesday morning, and was attempting a second approach to Baramati airport when it crashed.
Indian media reporting the crash of a business jet this morning has claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and 4 others. The aircraft was attempting a second approach to Baramati Airport when it crashed. https://t.co/0RKiD9sZVU pic.twitter.com/1kcoWgc3I1
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) January 28, 2026
12.30 pm: Maharashtra announces three-day state mourning
The Chief Minister’s Office has announced that Fadnavis has cancelled all his programmes, and both he and Deputy CM Shinde would be departing for Baramati shortly. A public holiday has been declared in the state today (Wednesday), along with a three-day mourning period.
12.20 pm: Pawar’s supporters gather outside Baramati hospital
Visuals from outside the hospital in Baramati where the mortal remains of the Deputy CM and others onboard the plane have been brought:
#WATCH | Maharashtra | Huge crowd gathers outside Baramati hospital as mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP leader, Ajit Pawar, have been brought here
He died in a charter plane crash while travelling from Mumbai to Bramati this morning. pic.twitter.com/xVcbIwxJIQ
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
12.15 pm: ‘We faced many challenges together’
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addresses media persons after Deputy CM Pawar’s death.
“There is an atmosphere of sadness in the state. Losing a leader like him is an unprecedented loss. In personal life, he was a good friend. We faced many challenges together. At a time when he was contributing to Maharashtra’s development, his untimely demise is a loss,” he says.
#WATCH | Mumbai | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "Maharahstra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has lost his life in a plane accident. There is an atmosphere of sadness in the state. Losing a leader like him is an unprecedented loss. In personal life, he was a good friend. We faced… pic.twitter.com/F3bXxN9BlB
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
11.45 am: ‘We worked as a team’
Maharashtra Deputy CM and former CM Eknath Shinde told media persons, “Ajit dada was a man of his word. We worked as a team when I was the CM, and he was Dy CM. As team we had started the Ladli Behen Yojana, and Ajit dada played an important role in it.”
11.35 am: ‘Skilled administrator with ability to take tough decisions’
Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat wrote on X, “It is extremely heartbreaking that Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, a skilled administrator with the ability to take tough decisions, is no longer among us today. For many years, we worked together; with his passing, we have lost an outstanding leader. Heartfelt condolences.”
कुशल प्रशासक आणि कठोर निर्णय घेण्याची क्षमता असलेले महाराष्ट्राचे उपमुख्यमंत्री अजित पवार आज आपल्यात नाहीत, ही अत्यंत दुःखदायक घटना आहे. अनेक वर्ष आम्ही एकत्रित काम केले, त्यांच्या जाण्याने एक उमदा नेता आपण गमावलेला आहे. भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली.#AjitPawar pic.twitter.com/xTvyKjxO2s
— Balasaheb Thorat (@bb_thorat) January 28, 2026
11.20 am: Pawar’s security officer, attendant, aircraft crew among others killed
A Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) aircraft, operated by VSR, crash landed at Baramati airport early today. There were five people on board, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar, two personnel (1 PSO and 1 attendant) and 2 crew (PIC+FO) members, a DGCA official told ThePrint.
Read Mayank Kumar’s report.
11.15 am: ‘Committed man who kept to his work’
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi reacts to Ajit Pawar’s death, calling it “shocking, painful and heart-rending”.
“There have been differences between us, but we have worked together. He was a really committed man who kept to his work. I express my sympathies to Pawar sahab, Supriya ji, Sunetra ji, Parth and Jay. I also express sympathies to lakhs and crores of people in Baramati…Going away like this is very painful…” he said.
11.00 am: ‘Massive explosion, followed by 4-5 more’
An eyewitness in Baramati tells ANI that people rushed close to the aircraft after it crashed and exploded, but no one could step forward to help because of the fire.
#WATCH | Crash landing in Baramati | Baramati, Maharashtra: An eyewitness at the spot says, "I saw it with my eyes. This is really painful. When the aircraft descended, it seemed it would crash, and it did crash. It then exploded. There was a massive explosion. After that, we… pic.twitter.com/fBQplnxHON
— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026
10.50 am: PM expresses condolences—’leader of the people’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to express his condolences to Pawar’s family and supporters.
“Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra,” he wrote.
Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and… pic.twitter.com/mdgwwGzw4R
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2026
Saddened by the tragic air crash in Baramati, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the crash. Praying for strength and courage for the bereaved families in this moment of profound grief.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2026
10.45 am: Ajit Pawar’s family arrives in Baramati
Maharashtra Deputy CM’s wife Sunetra Pawar, sons Parth and Jay, NCP working president Praful Patel, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule have begun arriving in Baramati.
A WhatsApp status by Sule reads: “Devastated”.
