11 February,2026 03:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Fadnavis on Wednesday while talking to media. (Pic/X)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said a crucial probe by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is underway into the plane crash that killed Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. The Maharashtra Chief Minister further urged that conclusions be drawn only after the investigation ends.
Fadnavis further said that the aircraft's black box had already been recovered and that investigations on all fronts had commenced, as reported by news agency PTI.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and four others were killed when the Learjet aircraft crashed near the Baramati airstrip in Pune district on January 28. Describing the DGCA inquiry into the incident as "very important", Fadnavis stressed the need to wait for its findings.
The CM while responding to the question about Ajit Pawar's nephew and MLA Rohit Pawar's claims and concerns regarding the plane crash.
Earlier on Tuesday, Rohit Pawar raised several questions regarding the sequence of events leading up to the plane crash. Rohit alleged that there was a reason to suspect sabotage in the tragic incident that killed his uncle Ajit Pawar, and demanded a comprehensive probe by multiple expert agencies, as reported by PTI.
Ajit Pawar's nephew, Rohit who is also an MLA claimed that like many citizens, he, too, suspected the possibility of foul play. "I am not doubting the CID's intentions, but in such cases, they are not competent enough, as officials are not even allowed full access to airport premises," Rohit said. He alleged that the CID was only collecting CCTV footage and that the probe had not progressed. "This investigation needs to be expedited, or there is scope for manipulation of evidence," he warned, urging that expert agencies be roped in immediately.
The Chief Minister in reply said, "I have not personally seen what Rohit Pawar said. I am somewhat aware of it. I believe that if anyone has any doubts, they should be addressed. From this perspective, the investigative agencies available under Indian law have already begun the kind of investigation expected in such cases."
Fadnavis also said that he was the first to write to the Union aviation ministry seeking a detailed probe into the accident that claimed the lives of Pawar, the pilot, the co-pilot and two others.
Rohit Pawar emphasised, "If we can learn from the errors or shortcomings in our civil aviation sector, we can fix them and make it safer for civilians and leaders as well," as cited by PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
