11 February,2026 04:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is conducting a critical probe into the plane crash that claimed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's life, and urged that no conclusions be drawn until the investigation is complete.
He also confirmed that the aircraft's black box has been recovered and that investigations are underway on multiple fronts.
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 was speaking to reporters in response to questions about Ajit Pawar's nephew and MLA Rohit Pawar's claims and concerns regarding the plane crash.
Rohit Pawar on Tuesday had raised several questions regarding the sequence of events leading up to the crash. He alleged that there was reason to suspect sabotage in the tragic incident that killed his uncle, and demanded a comprehensive probe by multiple expert agencies.
Fadnavis 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."
The chief minister added 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.
"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," he said.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar on Wednesday expressed renewed doubts about the circumstances of his uncle Ajit Pawar's plane crash, suggesting the possibility of a conspiracy.
According to the news agency ANI, while speaking at a press conference, he questioned the role of the aviation company. Citing statements from Manoj Pawar, the handler of Arrow company, the NCP (SP) leader indicated that poor visibility in Baramati may not have caused the crash.
"Ajit Pawar was a prominent political leader in Maharashtra. People have doubts about his plane crash. We have compiled some information over the last 13 days based on our sources. We are emotional about this matter. The most important point here is that Manoj Pawar is the handler of the Arrow company," Rohit Pawar said, reported ANI.
(With PTI and ANI)
