Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde along Governor Acharya Devvrat on Wednesday reached Baramati as Pune began to prepare for NCP chief Ajit Pawar's last rites. The leaders reached the site to offer their condolences to the family and party members, as well as to participate in the funeral rituals, officials said. They were expected to meet the family members of Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar’s sudden death in the Baramati plane crash has led to widespread grief across the state and the nation. Political leaders from the across the country, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paid tributes to Ajit Pawar. The state government has declared three days of state mourning, and flags are being flown at half-mast across Maharashtra. CM Fadnavis had earlier stated that during these three days, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all the buildings in Maharashtra where the national flag is regularly hoisted. राज्यपाल आचार्य देवव्रत यांच्या समवेत मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस व उपमुख्यमंत्री एकनाथ शिंदे यांचे उपमुख्यमंत्री अजित पवार यांच्या पार्थिवाच्या अंत्यदर्शनासाठी बारामती, पुणे येथे आगमन झाले. pic.twitter.com/xt0JAs0TmY — CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) January 28, 2026 Funeral arrangements and public condolences The local administration has made arrangements for people to offer their condolences and participate in the final rites. Several leaders and party workers have also been seen offering prayers and paying their respects. Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash: Follow LIVE Updates here Ajit Pawar to be cremated with state honours The last rites of Ajit Pawar, who was killed in the aircraft crash, will be held with full state honours on Thursday in Baramati, in Pune district, reported the PTI. The funeral will take place at the Vidya Pratishthan ground at 11 a.m. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said that leaders from across the political spectrum will attend, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to be present, the news agency reported. The crash occurred on Wednesday morning, shortly after Ajit Pawar and four others took off from Mumbai. In addition to Pawar, the victims included his personal security officer, an attendant, and two crew members, the pilot-in-command and the first officer. Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, and two sons, Parth and Jay. Poor visibility The aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar was cleared to land at Baramati in Pune on Wednesday morning after a go-around due to poor visibility. However, once the landing clearance was finally issued, the crew did not provide any read-back or response to Air Traffic Control. Moments later, the aircraft burst into flames at the edge of the runway. The plane, a Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, was attempting to land in low visibility, Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu said. A statement from the ministry described the final minutes of the ill-fated flight, which ended in the deaths of all five people on board, including Ajit Pawar. An investigation has been launched into the incident.
28 January,2026 06:34 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s body will be cremated with state honors on Thursday, 29 January, at 11:00 am. Ajit Pawar, along with five others, died in a tragic plane crash at Baramati on Wednesday, January 28 at around 9:00 am. In view of paying heartfelt tribute to Ajit Pawar, the Maharashtra government declared a three-day mourning period on Wednesday, reported IANS. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also said that during these three days, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all the buildings in Maharashtra where the national flag is regularly hoisted. Also, no government entertainment programs should be organized during this period. It has been decided that all state government offices in the state will remain closed on Wednesday, as per IANS. PM Modi and Amit Shah to attend Ajit Pawar’s cremation ceremony As reported by IANS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also be attending the cremation of the Deputy CM. Meanwhile, leaders across political parties expressed grief over his sudden demise. Maharashtra declares holiday for schools The Maharashtra government has also declared Wednesday, January 28, a holiday across all state government offices and schools following the sudden demise of Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar in a plane crash earlier in the day in Baramati, Pune district. Official circulars issued by the general administration department (GAD), the directorate of education, and the divisional deputy director of education, Mumbai, confirm a three-day state mourning period until Friday, January 30. The official circular mentioned, “Shri Ajit Anantrao Pawar, Honourable Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra, passed away today, the 28th of January, 2026… The Government of Maharashtra hereby declares the closing of all offices of the State Government throughout the state on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026.” Ashish Shelar expresses grief over Ajit Pawar’s demise Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said, “The news of the untimely demise of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajitdada Pawar, in an airplane crash is extremely painful and shocking.” The minister also added, “Through this heart-numbing, tragic incident, the state has lost an experienced, dutiful, and steadfast leader. His strong grip on the administration, decisiveness, and zeal for the all-round progress of Maharashtra have left a distinct mark on the state's politics. Steadfastness, discipline, punctuality, and unwavering diligence were the prominent facets of his personality.” (With inputs from IANS)
28 January,2026 06:25 PM IST | Baramati | mid-day online correspondentA Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed near Baramati Airport on Wednesday morning, killing all five people on board, including two crew members. Preliminary reports point to poor visibility during the final approach. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the aircraft made first contact with Baramati at 8:18 a.m. and was cleared by Pune approach while inbound. During the approach to Runway 11, the pilots reported limited visibility and carried out a go-around after failing to sight the runway. On the second attempt, the crew said the runway was visible and the aircraft was cleared to land at 8:43 a.m., but no readback was received. About one minute later, ground staff saw flames near the runway threshold, followed by a loud explosion. Emergency teams rushed to the site, where the wreckage was found close to the runway. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken charge of the probe. The Central government on Wednesday released a detailed account of the air accident that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others near Baramati Airport on January 28, 2026. Fresh visuals from the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and five others show charred wreckage, scattered debris and smoke rising from the site near Baramati. The Bombardier Learjet 45 had crash-landed while Pawar was travelling to address… pic.twitter.com/wlazaE8ISD — Mid Day (@mid_day) January 28, 2026 The incident involved a Learjet 45 aircraft (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd., flying on the Mumbai–Baramati sector. All five people on board received fatal injuries, including two crew members, a personal security officer and an attendant. Operator and aircraft details According to an official statement, released by the DGCA, VSR Ventures is a non-scheduled operator (NSOP) with permit number 07/2014, valid until 20 April 2028. The company has a fleet of 17 aircraft, including seven Learjet 45s, five Embraer 135BJ, four King Air B200 and one Pilatus PC-12. The aircraft involved in the crash, VT-SSK, was manufactured in 2010 and had an Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) valid until 14 September 2026. The aircraft had logged 4,915 flight hours and 5,867 cycles since new. VSR Ventures had previously experienced another accident in September 2023, when a Learjet 45 (VT-DBL) suffered an accident during landing at Mumbai Airport. That case is still under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash: Follow LIVE Updates here Crew and passenger information The pilot-in-command (PIC) was an ATPL holder with more than 15,000 flying hours, while the co-pilot held a CPL with approximately 1,500 hours. Both had valid medical certificates and recent instrument rating checks. Timeline of incident Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield, meaning there is no official air traffic control tower. Traffic information is provided by instructors and pilots from flying training organisations operating at the airfield. #WATCH | Baramati: On Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's demise in a plane crash, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu says,"...Since the incident occurred this morning, the DGCA and AAIB have been alerted, and their officers have been asked to come to the… pic.twitter.com/FavVDPnvO9 — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026 According to the statement of the person manning the Baramati ATC - - The aircraft first contacted Baramati at 8:18 a.m. - When about 30 nautical miles away, the flight was released by Pune approach control. - The crew were advised to descend under visual meteorological conditions. - Pilots were told winds were calm and visibility was about 3,000 metres. - On first final approach to Runway 11, the runway was not visible, leading to a go-around. - On the second approach, the crew initially reported the runway was still not in sight, but soon confirmed it was visible. - The aircraft was cleared to land at 8:43 a.m., but no readback was received. - At 8:44 a.m., flames were observed near the runway threshold, prompting emergency response. - The wreckage was found on the left side of the runway, near the threshold of Runway 11. Investigation underway The AAIB has taken over the investigation, and its Director General is travelling to the site to oversee evidence collection.
28 January,2026 05:58 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentUnion Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Wednesday said a transparent and accountable probe would be carried out into the plane crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Addressing the media, the minister said preliminary inputs indicated poor visibility during landing and outlined the sequence of events that led to the accident. "We will conduct an investigation in a transparent and accountable manner. Preliminary information indicates that visibility was poor at the site at the time of landing around 8:48 am," he said, reported news agency ANI. #WATCH | Pune | On Maha Dy CM Ajit Pawar's demise in a plane crash, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu says," We will conduct an investigation in a transparent and accountable manner. Preliminary information indicates that visibility was poor at the site… pic.twitter.com/qPs0k6hQH7 — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026 Pilot initially reported runway not visible before Ajit Pawar plane crash, says Civil Aviation Minister Minister further added, "Before landing, ATC (Air Traffic Control) asked the pilot whether the runway was in sight, and he confirmed it was not. After a go-around, the aircraft returned to land, and the pilot was again asked if the runway was visible for landing. Then, the pilot confirmed visibility of the runway. After ATC cleared landing, it was seen that the accident had occurred." Expressing grief over the loss, the Civil Aviation Minister said the incident was deeply saddening. "My heart is very heavy with sorrow. It is difficult to digest that Ajit Dada is not with us. I offer my condolences to the families of the other four persons who have died in this incident. Ajit Dada used to guide us a lot due to his experience in public service. This is an irreplaceable loss for Maharashtra. It is very difficult to find leaders like him," he said, reported ANI. Ajit Pawar died in the plane crash on Wednesday morning in Maharashtra's Baramati. According to DGCA, five people, including the crew, on board the chartered plane flying from Mumbai, Maharashtra, to Baramati died after a crash-landing at 8.45 am this morning. The crash landing of the Mumbai-Baramati charter plane occurred at the runway threshold in Baramati. Pawar was onboard along with 2 more personnel (1 PSO and 1 attendant) and 2 crew members. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis has announced a state holiday and three days of mourning following the demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash this morning. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, CM Fadanvis said that the decision on Pawar's last rites will be made after consulting his family. Pawar's last rites will be performed with full state honours, the Maharashtra General Administration Department (Protocol) informed on Wednesday. (With ANI inputs)
28 January,2026 05:33 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentThe Lower House of the Parliament on Wednesday made an obituary reference to the demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died during a plane crash in Baramati this morning. The NCP chief was a Lok Sabha MP during the 10th Lok Sabha in 1991. The 66-year-old leader died in a charter plane crash while travelling from Mumbai to Bramati this morning. He was in Mumbai on January 27, where he attended a meeting of the Maharashtra Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fadanvis has announced a state holiday and three days of mourning. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, CM Fadanvis said that the decision on Pawar's last rites will be made after consulting his family. Ajit Pawar, 66, was the nephew of veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar, and the cousin of Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule. He is survived by his wife, Sunetra Pawar and two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar. Several MPs have expressed condolences to the Pawar family. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered him as a mass leader with deep grassroots. He highlighted Pawar's strong grasp of administrative affairs and his commitment to empowering the poor and underprivileged. "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 downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti," the X post from PM Modi said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also condoled the demise of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Meanwhile, both Houses of Parliament also made obituary reference for former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who passed away in December last year, while she was undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 80. Lok Sabha mourned the demise of former MPs Shalini Patil, Bhanu Prakash Mirdha, Satyendra Nath Brohmo Chaudhury, Suresh Kalmadi and Kabindra Purkayastha. While the Rajya Sabha made obituary references for former MPs L Ganesan and Suresh Kalmadi. The Budget Session 2026-27 began with President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint session of Parliament, outlining the Union government's vision for social justice, inclusive growth, and a developed India. Both houses were adjourned on Wednesday afternoon and will meet on Thursday at 11 am. The Union Budget will be presented on February 1. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
28 January,2026 05:14 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe tragic and untimely demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on Wednesday has not only left a vacuum in the BJP-led state coalition government, but also cast a shadow on the future of the NCP. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is likely to face a leadership crisis following Ajit Pawar's death, as there is no clear second-in-command, say political observers. As the 'clock' symbol lost its undisputed leader, questions loomed over the party's survival and its future equation with founder Sharad Pawar, whose Rajya Sabha tenure ends in April this year. There has been speculation whether the NCP might reunite with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), especially as ties between the factions have softened in recent months. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will need to ensure that the 41 MLAs aligned with Ajit Pawar do not drift back toward Sharad Pawar, political analysts say. Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra, is currently a Rajya Sabha member and has been politically active, though she lacks administrative experience. The NCP has one Lok Sabha member, Sunil Tatkare, and two Rajya Sabha MPs - Praful Patel and Sunetra Pawar. With NCP founder Sharad Pawar staying away from the public glare during the recently held local bodies and civic elections, his daughter and NCP (SP) working president, Supriya Sule, campaigned for the party candidates, but was no match for her cousin Ajit Pawar, who campaigned statewide. State politics was abuzz with speculation about a possible merger of NCP (SP) with the NCP under Ajit Pawar's leadership. However, his untimely death in a plane crash has cast uncertainty over the future of his faction. Apart from state NCP president Sunil Tatkare and national working president Praful Patel, the party lacks a senior leader capable of succeeding Ajit Pawar. The only other mass-based leader, Chhagan Bhujbal-recently acquitted in a money laundering case-is currently unwell. While Patel and Tatkare have been key organisational figures, they lack the statewide grassroots connect that Ajit Pawar commanded. In the ruling Mahayuti, which won a massive mandate in the 2024 assembly polls, the BJP has 132 MLAs, followed by Eknath Shinde- led Shiv Sena with 57 and Pawar's NCP 41. Senior journalist Prakash Akolkar told PTI that both NCP factions are contesting the February 5 Zilla Parishad elections together on the 'clock' symbol, effectively signalling an unofficial merger. "The question is no longer about who merges with whom. With only two Opposition parties left-Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT)-it remains to be seen whether the Congress can revive itself," he said. In the recently-concluded civic polls in Maharashtra, the NCP, which contested separately from Mahayuti allies, bagged 167 seats across 29 municipal corporations and was defeated by the BJP on its home ground of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, where it had aligned with Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP), which won only 36 seats across the state. In the 165-member Pune Municipal Corporation, the NCP won only 27 seats and NCP (SP) 3 seats against BJP's tally of 119, whereas in the 102-member Pimpri Chinchwad civic body, Ajit Pawar's party got 37 and Sharad Pawar's faction drew a blank, while BJP got 84 seats. Last month, in the polls to 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats, the NCP won 966 and NCP (SP) 256 out of the total 6,851 seats. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
28 January,2026 04:59 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIUnion Minister of State (MoS) Murlidhar Mohol on Wednesday expressed profound shock after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister was killed, including four others, in a tragic plane crash at Baramati. Mohol, while paying a heartfelt tribute to Ajit Pawar, called it an irreparable loss to the state's political and social life. Mohol, while recalling his association with Ajit Pawar, said, "I'm truly at a loss for words right now. I worked with him for many years, and this is a profound shock. He was a popular leader from Maharashtra who had carved a unique identity for himself in the state's politics over the past four decades. He was known as a public representative with a strong grip on administration," as cited by news agency PTI. BJP leader Mohol also added, "I remember working with him in this city for 2.5 years during the COVID crisis. He was the president of the state's Olympic association, and I served as the vice-president alongside him. And today, Dada is no longer with us—this is extremely painful. This is a great loss for the social and political life of Maharashtra." Murlidhar Mohol praises Ajit Pawar’s administrative work Mohol further said that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief was among the few leaders who commanded respect across party lines. Mohol also added, "The thought that Dada will never return to us is also very painful. There were only a few leaders in Maharashtra politics who ruled the hearts of workers across all parties, whose leadership was always guiding and inspiring—that was Dada. It was my great fortune to have received so much of his guidance and support," as per PTI. Expressing grief over Ajit Pawar’s untimely demise, Mohol also added, "I cannot even imagine the politics and social life of this district and Maharashtra without Dada. This is a loss for society, a loss for Maharashtra. This is a major blow to the Pawar family, but it is equally a blow to the political workers of Maharashtra. I don't know what to say today. The politics of this district and Maharashtra will remain incomplete without Dada. I don't even have the courage to use a word like 'tribute' for him." Five dead, including Ajit Pawar in Baramati plane crash According to DGCA, five people, including the crew, on board the chartered plane flying from Mumbai, Maharashtra, to Baramati died after a crash-landing at 8.45 am this morning. The crash landing of the Mumbai-Baramati charter plane occurred at the runway threshold in Baramati. CM announces state holiday In view of paying tribute to Ajit Pawar, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a state holiday and three days of mourning. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis said that the decision on Pawar's last rites will be made after consulting his family. (With inputs from PTI)
28 January,2026 04:59 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentIn the wake of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar’s tragic death in a plane crash at Baramati on Wednesday, aviation experts and friends of the pilot have shared insights on possible causes of the accident. Speaking to news agency ANI, Captain (retired) Ehsan Khalid, a former Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot and a longtime friend of Captain Sumit Kapur, the deceased pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, said, “It was a tragic incident. I have known the pilot since my Sahara days, almost two decades ago. He was an experienced pilot. I am told that as the plane was making its first approach, it had to go around and make a second approach. I do not know whether the first approach was abandoned due to bad visibility alone, or whether technical issues also played a role. To my knowledge, no call of technical malfunction has been reported.” Captain Khalid further stated that the mishap could have occurred owing to a combination of bad weather, technical issues, or pilot judgment error. “According to the media and the DGCA, visibility was marginal. That means it was neither very good nor very bad. Marginal visibility creates a kind of ‘go or no-go’ situation. At smaller airfields like Baramati, which do not have many electronic aids, the actual visibility may have been lower than reported. The pilot’s perception in the aircraft may differ from the reported figures. The DGCA has taken control of all aircraft documents to determine whether there were any technical shortcomings at the time of release,” Captain Khalid told ANI from Seattle. #WATCH | Seattle, USA: On Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s Demise, Former IAF Pilot & friend of the deceased pilot in the crash, Capt (R) Ehsan Khalid says, "... It was a tragic incident. I have known the pilot since my Sahara days, almost two decades ago. He was an experienced… pic.twitter.com/tGpmWvXAiz — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2026 Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash: Follow LIVE Updates here Ajit Pawar death: Aviation specialists highlight multiple possible causes Another aviation expert, Subhash Goyal, offering additional context in the incident, said that four possible reasons could have led to the crash: a sudden technical glitch, landing gear not deployed, a bird strike, or a sudden drop in visibility. “Any of these could have played a role. Pilots undergo medical check-ups, and aircraft are thoroughly inspected before take-off. Normally, Air Traffic Control (ATC) coordinates the landing, but the small airport near Pune where the plane was supposed to land does not have computerised ATC facilities. The pilot had to land by visually assessing the airfield. Without ATC guidance, it is possible the pilot did not see the airfield at the last minute, or in rare cases, even blacked out,” Goyal told PTI. VIDEO | Delhi: Aviation expert Subhash Goyal, on the demise of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, said, “For this crash, or any crash, there are four possible reasons. One is a sudden technical glitch. Second is if the landing gear is not deployed. Third is if a… pic.twitter.com/7e6AhWfgBD — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026 Both the experts emphasised that the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a probe into the crash to ascertain the cause.
28 January,2026 04:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was cleared for landing in Baramati on Wednesday morning after multiple attempts, but having finally received landing clearance it did not give any 'read-back' or response to the ATC, and moments later burst into flames on the edge of the runway. The aircraft was trying to land amid poor visibility, Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said earlier. A statement by his ministry recounted the final minutes of the ill-fated Learjet 45 belonging to VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd that crashed, leading to the death of all five persons on board including Pawar. Baramati has an 'uncontrolled airfield', and traffic information is provided by the instructors/pilots from the Flying training Organisations at Baramati. The aircraft VI-SSK first came in contact at 8.18 am, as per the Baramati Air Traffic Control (ATC). Its next call was at 30 nautical miles inbound to Baramati. It was advised to descend in "visual meteorological conditions" at the pilot's discretion. The crew enquired about the winds and visibility, and were informed that the winds were calm and visibility was around 3,000 metres. "Next the aircraft reported on the final approach of Runway 11 and the runway was not in sight to them. They initiated a go-around in the first approach," the civil aviation ministry statement said. After the go-around, the crew was again asked if they could spot the runway. The reply was: "Runway is currently not in sight, will call when runway is in sight". After a few seconds, the crew reported that they could spot the runway. "The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 11 at 0843 IST (8.43 am). However, they did not give a readback of the landing clearance (did not respond to ATC). Next, the ATC saw the flames around the threshold of runway 11 at 0844 IST (8.44 am)," the statement said. Ajit Pawar plane crash Live updates: Follow our live blog for real-time updates The emergency services then rushed to the crash site, but it was too late. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the investigation. DG, AAIB is reaching the accident site for investigation, the statement said. The aircraft carrier was a Non-Scheduled Operator (NSOP) with Permit No 07/2014. Its fleet included seven Learjet 45 aircraft (including the one involved in the crash), five Embraer 135BJ aircraft, four King Air B200 aircraft and one Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. The last regulatory audit of the aircraft carrying Pawar was carried out by DGCA in February 2025, and "no level-I findings were issued", the statement said. The aircraft was manufactured in 2010. The C of A (certificate of airworthiness) was issued on December 16, 2021. The Cof R (Certificate of Registration) was issued on December 27, 2022. The ARC (airworthiness review certificate) was issued on September 10, 2025, and was valid until September 14, 2026. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
28 January,2026 04:44 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed grief and sorrow following Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar's death in a plane crash. PM Modi spoke to NCP (SP) chief and Ajit Pawar's uncle Sharad Pawar and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family and his party leaders. In an post on X, earlier in the day, PM Modi wrote, "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." "The prime minister spoke to Sharad Pawar on the sad demise of Ajit Pawar and expressed his condolences," officials told the PTI. Ajit Pawar was a leader with strong grassroots connection: PM PM Modi described Ajit Pawar as a leader with a strong grassroots connection and praised his long public service and dedication to the people of Maharashtra. He further wrote, "Ajit Pawar was a people's leader who had a strong bond with the people and a deep connection with the grassroots. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality who always remained at the forefront in the service of the people of Maharashtra. He had profound knowledge of administrative matters. His passion for the empowerment of the poor and the deprived was particularly noteworthy. His untimely demise is extremely shocking and deeply saddening. Heartfelt condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti." 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 Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash: Follow LIVE Updates here "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," he added. The aircraft crash Ajit Pawar, 66, was among the those killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Maharashtra's Pune district on Wednesday morning. Union Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu said on Wednesday that preliminary information suggests poor visibility at Baramati airport at the time of the crash involving the aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar and four other people on board died when the chartered plane crashed on Wednesday morning. Following the tragic incident, Naidu, along with Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, flew from Delhi to Pune to attend Ajit Pawar’s last rites.
28 January,2026 04:37 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIn an effort to strengthen outreach and foster a sense of security among students from the Northeastern states, Maharashtra Police successfully conducted the ‘Northeast Connect’ program across the state on Republic Day, January 26. As per the officials, the program was conducted as per the directions of the Director General of Police (DGP), Maharashtra. The initiative was organized in major cities, including Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Amravati, Solapur, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Sangli, and Kolhapur. In several districts, the program went beyond police commissionerates and SP offices, extending to police stations to ensure wider participation and outreach. Students interacted with civil officials and police officers. Students from Northeastern states residing and studying in Maharashtra took part in Republic Day celebrations, including flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural programs. They also interacted with senior police and civil officers, sharing their experiences, concerns, and suggestions. Officials further assured the students of full support and cooperation, emphasizing the police force’s commitment to their safety and well-being. At some locations, students were briefed on Dial-112 emergency response services, CCTV surveillance systems, and the functioning of police control rooms to enhance awareness about available safety mechanisms. Police officials said that the program received an overwhelmingly positive response, with students expressing happiness and increased confidence after interacting with officers. Also, the senior officials, including Commissioners of Police, Collectors, Divisional Commissioners, Range-level officers, Superintendents of Police, Guardian Ministers, and Special IGs, personally interacted with students at several venues. Officials said the initiative helped build trust, confidence, and a stronger sense of belonging among students from the Northeastern states living in Maharashtra.
28 January,2026 03:49 PM IST | Mumbai | Anish PatilADVERTISEMENT
-1769593132931_d.png "NCP workers set up a condolence banner following the passing away of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, in Mumbai. PIC/PTI")
-1769599504995_d.png "Ajit Pawar’s passing raises questions on NCP's future. File Pic")
-1769597469461_d.png "Learjet carrying Ajit Pawar crashes after missed landing response at Baramati. Pic/PTI")
