24 February,2026 10:00 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Amol Mitkari. Pic/X
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLC Amol Mitkari has stirred a major controversy after raising questions over the Baramati plane crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Speaking at a press conference, Mitkari drew a comparison between the crash and the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by the LTTE, reported news agency ANI.
Mitkari suggested that the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft could have been acting as a "suicide bomber," alleging suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident. His remarks have triggered sharp reactions in political circles, with many questioning the basis of such claims.
Elaborating on his allegations, Mitkari claimed that pilots associated with the VSR company had reportedly been issued insurance policies worth Rs 50 crore each in December. He alleged that despite this information being in the public domain, the company has not issued any clarification, reported ANI.
"I have been saying this from the first day. If such large insurance policies were taken, then was the pilot sent as a suicide bomber?" Mitkari questioned. He further compared the situation to the modus operandi used in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, suggesting that a similar angle should not be ruled out, reported ANI.
He also demanded a detailed investigation into the crash, including retrieval and analysis of data from the aircraft's black box to determine the exact cause of the tragedy.
Amid the controversy, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol assured that the investigation into the crash is being conducted as per established protocols. He stated that the preliminary report will be released within a month of the incident, likely before February 28, reported ANI.
Mohol emphasised that all updates are being communicated through official press releases and that the final report will follow after the preliminary findings. He also refrained from commenting on political allegations, underlining that investigative agencies are handling the matter.
The tragic incident occurred on January 28, when the aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district. The plane crash-landed near the runway threshold, resulting in the deaths of all five individuals on board.
Apart from Ajit Pawar, the victims included his personal security officer, a flight attendant, and two pilots. Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati for campaigning related to the Zilla Parishad elections.
The incident has since sparked multiple theories and political reactions, even as authorities continue their investigation to establish the exact cause of the crash.
(With inputs from ANI)
