Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) leader Rohit Pawar has demanded that the investigation into the plane crash that claimed the life of his uncle, Ajit Pawar, be handed over to an agency under the Central government, as well as two international agencies, instead of being conducted by the state CID, citing the need for greater transparency and credibility. In the aftermath of the deputy chief minister’s death, speculation has been rife across Maharashtra over whether the incident was an accident or part of a larger conspiracy. On Tuesday, Ajit Pawar’s nephew, Rohit, 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. During a presentation in Mumbai, Rohit, NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew, raised several questions, pointing to issues such as last-minute changes in Ajit Pawar’s travel plan, the aviation company’s track record, the pilot’s credentials, and the aircraft’s fitness. He also highlighted unusual communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC) during the crisis. “Instead of the traditional ‘May Day’ distress call, it is learnt that the words ‘Oh s—’ were used. All this must be investigated,” he said. Rohit further demanded that the state discontinue using VSR Aviation’ services, alleging that despite multiple flaws, the company continues to ferry important political personalities. “I have lost my uncle, but other leaders should not be made to risk their lives,” he said, calling for scrutiny of call logs of the aviation company owners, the pilot, and other staff linked to the flight that met with an accident at Baramati on January 28. Asked whether he suspected the involvement of any political party or leader, Rohit maintained that he did not wish to politicise the tragedy. “I am not blaming any leadership or party. But answers are needed for the questions that many people associated with Ajit Dada are asking about the plane crash,” he said. Dada's words Rohit also shared an anecdote from a past conversation with his uncle. “I once told Ajit Kaka that one of his friends had purchased a plane. He replied, ‘Good. If you trust him, use his plane’. I don’t know what made him say that, but when I join the dots now, it feels like he wanted to tell me something,” Rohit said, adding that several unanswered questions remain, deepening doubts over whether it was merely an accident or something more of a conspiracy and plot. mid-day contacted VSR Aviation, the operator of VT-SSK Learjet 45 involved in the crash, on Tuesday evening, but received no reply by press time.
10 February,2026 11:01 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarA fire broke out in a forested hill area behind Mumbra Devi Temple along the Mumbra Bypass in Thane on Monday evening, the Thane Municipal Corporation’s Disaster Management Control Room said. According to officials, the alert was received at around 7.43 pm from the Mumbra Fire Station. Fire brigade teams rushed to the spot with one fire engine and a rescue vehicle. No injuries were reported in the incident. As the blaze occurred at a higher elevation on the hill, firefighters were unable to douse it with water. The Forest Department has been informed for further necessary action. One dead in 13th-floor fire at residential building in Mumbai's Vile Parle area A fire broke out on the 13th floor of Suvidha Pearl building in Vile Parle East at 9.51 am on Monday, killing a 63-year-old woman and injuring two others. The deceased was identified as Bhavna Bharat Satra, 63. The injured include Aneree Jitendra Satra, 34, and Mohammad Rashid, 22. A security guard of the building, who spoke to mid-day on condition of anonymity, said they heard a loud sound before glass from the 13th floor shattered and fell near the lobby. “We panicked and immediately alerted the fire brigade. Thankfully, the fire did not spread,” he said. The blaze reportedly started in flat No. 1301, owned by the builder of the apartment, where family members had gathered ahead of a wedding scheduled for Tuesday. Deepak Shinde, a family friend, told this newspaper that several relatives had arrived from different cities and were out when the incident occurred. “When we rushed back, we found that two family members had been injured,” he said. All three victims were rescued and taken to Nanavati Hospital, where Bhavna Satra was declared dead on arrival. The other two are undergoing treatment. Amol Shashikant Khanolkar, assistant station officer, said three people were rescued from the flat. “We found both women in the passage outside the flat. To rescue the man, we had to break open doors. He suffered minor injuries. One woman was declared dead at the hospital, while the other is being treated. The cause of the fire is under investigation,” he said.
10 February,2026 10:34 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra government has decided to implement a Maharashtra Quantum Technology Mission in alignment with the Centre’s National Quantum Mission (NQM), with a focus on creating skilled human resources and infrastructure for future technologies. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil said the initiative aims to prepare industry-ready manpower in emerging areas such as quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and quantum materials. Following his directives, the Directorate of Technical Education has submitted a proposal to develop skilled manpower, research capabilities and infrastructure in quantum technology across the state. Hub-and-spoke model to strengthen quantum research and training The mission will be implemented using a Hub-and-Spoke model, with IISER Pune’s I-Hub Quantum Technology Foundation serving as the central hub. Key participating institutions include COEP Technological University, Pune; Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere; Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai; and Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur. Quantum technology-related subjects will be introduced in undergraduate and postgraduate curricula. The government also plans to establish quantum simulation laboratories and conduct specialised training programmes for faculty and students. Three-phase rollout The mission will be implemented in phases. Phase 1 (2026-2028) will involve an allocation of around Rs 20 crore for faculty training, curriculum development, infrastructure creation, establishment of quantum laboratories and pilot training programmes. Phase 2 will require approximately Rs 300 crore for research projects, PhD and post-doctoral training, patent registration and incentives for industry collaboration. Phase 3, with an estimated outlay of Rs 200 crore, will focus on commercialisation of technologies, startup creation and employment generation. According to government estimates and industry projections, quantum technology could generate around 25,000 jobs annually in the coming years. The state has set a target of training over 50,000 quantum-skilled engineers and experts. Over five lakh students, faculty register for quantum courses in Maharashtra To introduce quantum technology at an early stage, students and faculty are being encouraged to enrol in courses offered on platforms such as SWAYAM and NPTEL. More than five lakh students and faculty from Maharashtra have registered for three-credit quantum-related courses offered by institutions including IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, IISER Kolkata and IIT Kanpur. The government said the mission will not rely solely on public funding and will mobilise resources through CSR initiatives, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and central government schemes to ensure financial sustainability. The Maharashtra Quantum Technology Mission is aligned with the state’s long-term vision of Viksit Maharashtra 2047 and aims to position Maharashtra as a leading state in quantum technology, Patil said.
10 February,2026 10:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday cleared a proposal to raise a Rs 6,000 crore loan to speed up land acquisition for the proposed Purandar airport in Pune district. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, which also approved the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) involving MIDC, MADC, CIDCO, and other agencies, reported news agency PTI. According to the government, 96 per cent of farmers in the project area have already given their consent for land acquisition for the airport. As large-scale land acquisition is now required, funds will be raised through loans from various financial institutions, an official release said. In another decision, the cabinet approved raising a loan of Rs 15,000 crore from NABARD for irrigation projects and for improving canals and distribution systems across the state. These projects are expected to bring around 8 lakh hectares of land under irrigation. Of the Rs 15,000 crore, Rs 8,982.76 crore has been earmarked for completing 57 irrigation projects, while Rs 6,017.24 crore will be used to improve canals and distribution systems of 193 projects. Maharashtra cabinet clears land policy for ‘Third Mumbai’ near Atal Setu The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a new land acquisition and allotment policy for development projects under the proposed 'Third Mumbai' near the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as Atal Setu, reported the PTI. CM said around 200 square kilometres of land has been handed over to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to ensure planned development in the region. The policy will apply to areas under the newly formed New Town Development Authority and future projects implemented by MMRDA. The policy aims to speed up infrastructure development in the MTHL impact zone, which is expected to reduce congestion in Mumbai and promote balanced regional growth. Atal Setu connects Sewri in Mumbai with Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai. Other projects approved Other major decisions included land allocation for a cricket stadium in Kolhapur, formation of an SPV for the Purandar airport project in Pune, launch of a village health campaign, and approval of the Maharashtra government's PPP Policy 2026. (With PTI inputs)
10 February,2026 10:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted bail to Nadim Akhtar Shaikh, an accused in the 2011 Mumbai triple blasts case, citing his 14-year incarceration and prolonged delay in the completion of the trial, according to the PTI. A bench of Justices Ajey Gadkari and Shyam Chandak allowed Shaikh’s bail plea. He was arrested in January 2012 and is currently in his late 30s. As per the PTI, the court noted that Shaikh had been behind bars for over a decade and that there was no likelihood of the trial being completed in the near future. It directed his release on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh, along with one or more sureties of the same amount, subject to other conditions. Shaikh had approached the High Court in May 2022 after a special court rejected his bail plea, seeking relief on the grounds of prolonged incarceration pending trial. Bombings hit Zaveri Bazaar, Opera House and Dadar On July 13, 2011, Mumbai, India's thriving financial metropolis, was hit by a series of synchronised bomb explosions that shook the city to its core. These bombings, which took place in three busy areas, killed 26 people and injured nearly 130 others. The bombings occurred in fast succession during the evening rush hour, targeting major places to create the most damage and fear. The first explosion occurred in Zaveri Bazaar, a thriving jewellery market in South Mumbai, followed by a second blast at Opera House, a corporate hub. The third explosion happened in the Dadar area, near a bus stop in central Mumbai. These locations were deliberately chosen to inflict the highest possible casualties and disrupt daily life. The immediate aftermath of the 2011 Mumbai bombing was chaotic and confusing. Emergency services, including police, fire, and medical teams, rushed to the scene to help the injured and secure the area. Hospitals throughout the city were on high alert, and blood drives were rapidly planned to assist those injured. The pictures of devastation, along with the heartbreaking screams of the maimed and bereaved, gave a bleak picture of the disaster that had struck Mumbai. ATS names Indian Mujahideen as mastermind of blasts The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) alleged that the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen orchestrated the blasts, with its founder Yasin Bhatkal identified as the main conspirator, reported PTI. The ATS had booked 11 accused under charges of criminal conspiracy, murder, attempt to murder, causing hurt, and under relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). (With PTI inputs)
10 February,2026 10:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will present the Maharashtra Budget 2026 on March 6 as the session is scheduled to begin on February 23, officials said on Tuesday. "CM Fadnavis will present the budget in the assembly following the demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was holding the finance portfolio," said an official. In the absence of the finance minister, the responsibility of presenting the budget has been taken over by the chief minister. Last year, Ajit Pawar had presented the Mahayuti government’s budget, marking his 11th state budget, the second-highest number presented by any finance minister in Maharashtra’s history. While tabling the budget, Pawar had acknowledged that the state’s debt burden was rising but maintained that it remained within prescribed fiscal limits. Maharashtra’s total debt is projected to touch Rs 9.32 lakh cr According to official finance documents, Maharashtra’s total debt is projected to touch Rs 9.32 lakh crore in the financial year 2025-26. In 2024-25, the actual debt stood at Rs 8.39 lakh crore, higher than the earlier estimate of Rs 7.8 lakh crore. Despite fiscal pressures, Ajit Pawar had announced that the government would not increase ready reckoner rates or introduce any major new taxes, citing concerns over burdening taxpayers and the common man. He had also assured that no cuts were made to development or infrastructure spending. The budget session is will be a significant as it comes at a time of political and administrative transition in the state. Budget session on Feb 23 The budget is expected to outline the government’s priorities for development, welfare schemes and fiscal management. Mid-Day was the first to report that CM Fadnavis would present the budget due to Ajit Pawar’s absence. Read more here... The budget session is likely to include discussions on government policies, financial planning and legislative business. Both the ruling alliance and the opposition are expected to raise key issues concerning the economy, public welfare and governance during the session.
10 February,2026 10:30 PM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev ShivadekarThe Maharashtra government has approved an ambitious new health campaign called “My Village, Healthy Village”, led by state Health Minister Prakash Abitkar. The campaign aims to strengthen rural health services and make villages healthier, disease-free and self-reliant through active public participation, an official statement said on Tuesday. The decision was approved in the state cabinet meeting held on Tuesday. The event will be implemented across Maharashtra every year from April 1 to March 31 as a state-wide public health movement. The statement said that the main goal of the campaign is to improve health standards at the village level by coordinating key rural services such as sanitation, clean drinking water, nutrition and social awareness. It focuses on preventive and promotive healthcare rather than only medical treatment. The initiative also seeks to encourage healthy lifestyles and positive changes in health-related social behaviour. Special attention to be given to reducing diseases Under the scheme, special attention will be given to reducing both communicable and non-communicable diseases, the statement said. Other priority areas include maternal and child health, nutrition, sanitation, safe water supply, wastewater management, lifestyle diseases and mental health care. The government aims to ensure that citizens receive accessible and quality health services. To ensure effective implementation, committees will be formed at state, divisional, district, taluka and gram panchayat levels. The state-level committee will be chaired by the Health Minister and will include senior officials such as Additional Chief Secretaries, Commissioners and Directors from various departments. A separate state-level action committee will also be set up under the leadership of the Principal Secretary of the Public Health Department, it said. Cabinet approves a budget of Rs 80.75 crore Villages will be evaluated based on guidelines issued by the Health Department. Villages that score more than 70 per cent of the total marks will be declared “Healthy Villages”. These villages will be rewarded with certificates, mementoes and cash prizes. The cabinet has approved a budget of approximately Rs 80.75 crore for the implementation of this campaign. The government has stated that the ‘My Village, Healthy Village’ initiative is intended to become a people’s movement, involving not only the Health Department but also all sections of society. The scheme is expected to provide a new direction to rural healthcare and strengthen the vision of building a healthy Maharashtra.
10 February,2026 09:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has began action against the property tax defaulters in Mumbai and have issued seizure notices to several property owners, officials said on Tuesday. According to an official statement, the Mumbai civic body launched a strict drive against property tax defaulters, especially owners of plots, residential-cum-commercial buildings, commercial premises, and industrial units. The action comes after repeated warnings failed to prompt payment from major defaulters. The BMC has issued seizure notices under Section 203 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act to those who have deliberately avoided paying property tax despite having sufficient financial capacity. The notices warn that if dues are not cleared within the stipulated time, the property will be seized and, if necessary, auctioned, officials said. Move aims to protect honest taxpayers: BMC The civic body said the move aims to protect honest taxpayers, speed up tax collection, and ensure steady revenue for civic services, infrastructure and development projects across the city. Despite multiple appeals and follow-up notices, many property owners continued to delay payment. The BMC has therefore begun strong enforcement measures, including seizure and attachment of properties. This includes plots, residential-cum-commercial buildings, commercial premises and industrial units. The action is being carried out under the directions of Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi, and guidance from Joint Commissioner (Tax Assessment & Collection) Vishwas Shankarwar. Authorities have repeatedly urged defaulters to pay dues within the deadline to avoid penalties and legal action. However, the administration has now initiated stringent action against those who still fail to comply. Tax collection figures The BMC’s Tax Assessment and Collection Department collected Rs 5,426.81 crore in property tax from 1 April 2025 to 4 February 2026. The civic body has launched an extensive two-month campaign to further improve collections and ensure compliance. Seizure and auction process Defaulters are being issued notices under Sections 203, 204, 205 and 206 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act. If taxes remain unpaid after the deadline, the BMC will seize movable and immovable property and proceed to auction it. The BMC has also stated that if dues are not recovered from the property, the civic body may auction the property as per the interim order of the High Court in Petition No. 2592/2013. Ten defaulters as per civic data The BMC released a list of the top ten property owners targeted in the recovery drive on February 10, 2026. The outstanding amounts are as follows- 1. Messrs Kamla Mills (G South Ward) – Rs 12.01 crore 2. Messrs Sumer Corporation Chandivali Farms (L Ward) – Rs 11.98 crore 3. Messrs Transcon Sheth Creators (P North Ward) – Rs 11.98 crore 4. Messrs Formost Realtors Pvt Ltd (H East Ward) – Rs 11.91 crore 5. Messrs Shri Sai Group (K West Ward) – Rs 11.31 crore 6. Messrs Accord Builders (L Ward) – Rs 11.20 crore 7. Messrs Sumer Corporation Chandivali Farms (L Ward) – Rs 10.63 crore 8. Messrs Amir Parks & Amusement Pvt Ltd (P South Ward) – Rs 9.56 crore 9. Messrs Imtiaz Abdul Gaffar (K West Ward) – Rs 2.54 crore 10. Aminullah Zahidullah (H West Ward) – Rs 2.51 crore
10 February,2026 09:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCentral Railway, while sharing Maharashtra train updates, on Tuesday announced that it will run special trains between Mumbai-Madgaon, Panvel-Ratnagiri district. An official statement said that in response to increased passenger demand, Indian Railways has announced special train services on key routes in Maharashtra. These include reserved and unreserved services between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) Mumbai and Madgaon, as well as Panvel and Ratnagiri. Reserved special train: LTT-Madgaon-LTT Two special reserved services will operate between LTT Mumbai and Madgaon - - Train No. 01003 (LTT to Madgaon) Departs LTT on 12 February 2026 at 07:55 hrs, arriving at Madgaon the same day at 22:00 hrs. - Train No. 01004 (Madgaon to LTT) Departs Madgaon on 11 February 2026 at 16:30 hrs, arriving at LTT the next day at 05:50 hrs. Halts include: Thane, Panvel, Pen, Roha, Mangaon, Khed, Chiplun, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Vilavade, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, Kudal, Sawantwadi Road, Thivim and Karmali. Coach composition: 20 Sleeper Class coaches and 2 General Second Class cum Guard’s brake vans. Bookings: Open on February 11, 2026 at PRS counters and on the IRCTC website. Unreserved Special Train: Panvel-Ratnagiri A single unreserved MEMU special service will run between Panvel and Ratnagiri: - Train No. 01157 (Panvel to Ratnagiri) Departs Panvel on 10 February 2026 at 20:25 hrs, arriving at Ratnagiri at 04:00 hrs the next day. Halts include: Pen, Roha, Kolad, Indapur Road, Mangaon, Goregaon Road, Veer, Sape Wamne, Karanjadi, Vinhere, Diwankhavati, Kalambani Budruk, Khed, Anjani, Chiplun, Sawarda, Aravali Road and Sangameshwar Road. Coach composition: 8-car MEMU. Ticketing: Unreserved tickets can be booked through the UTS system or the RailOne app. Additional special trains for Mumbai, Pune, Sawantwadi, Nagpur Central Railway on Tuesday announced the operation of 24 special train services between Mumbai, Pune and other key destinations, including Nagpur, Kolhapur and Sawantwadi Road, to cater to increased passenger demand. According to the official statement, the special trains will operate between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Nagpur, Kolhapur and Sawantwadi Road, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Nagpur, and Pune and Nagpur on select dates in February 2026. Central Railway will run six special services between CSMT and Kolhapur, six services between CSMT and Sawantwadi Road, two CSMT–Nagpur superfast specials, four LTT–Nagpur services, and six Pune–Nagpur superfast special trains. These trains will halt at major stations, including Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Pune, Nashik Road, Manmad, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Akola, Wardha, Satara, Sangli, Miraj, Ratnagiri and several Konkan Railway stations, depending on the route. The special trains will also include a mix of AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, Sleeper Class and General Second Class coaches to accommodate passengers across categories. The details of the special train that will be introduced by the Central Railways are: CSMT-Kolhapur-CSMT Special (6 services) - Train no. 01029 will depart from CSMT on February 13 and 20 at 02.30 pm and will arrive at Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus, Kolhapur, at 04.20 am the next day. - Train no. 01030 Special will depart from Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus, Kolhapur, on February 14, 19 and 21 at 03:55 pm and will arrive in CSMT at 04:05 am the next day. CSMT-Sawantwadi Road -CSMT Special - Train no. 01129 Special will depart from CSMT on February 14, 19 and 21 at 12:20 am and will arrive in Sawantwadi Road at 12:30 pm the same day. - Train no. 01130 Special will depart from Sawantwadi Road on the 14th, 19th and 21st at 05:20 pm and will arrive in CSMT at 04:05 am the next day. CSMT-Nagpur-CSMT Superfast Special - Train no. 02139 Superfast Special will depart from CSMT on 19 February at 12:20 am and will arrive in Nagpur at 03:30 pm on the same day. - Train no. 02140 Superfast Special will depart from Nagpur on February 17 at 08:00 pm and will arrive in CSMT at 01:30 pm the next day. LTT-Nagpur-LTT Special - Train No. 01021 Superfast Special: Will depart from Lokmanya Tilak Terminal (LTT) on February 14 and 21 at 12:55 am and will arrive in Nagpur at 03:45 pm the same day. - Train No. 01022 The special will depart from Nagpur on February 14 and 21 at 08:00 pm and will arrive in LTT at 11:45 am the next day. Pune-Nagpur-Pune Superfast Special - Train No. 01467 will depart from Pune on February 13 and 20 at 03:50 pm and will arrive in Nagpur at 06:30 am the next day. - Train No. 01468 will depart from Nagpur on February 14 and 21 at 08:00 am and will arrive in Pune at 11:30 pm the same day. - Train No. 01419 will depart from Pune on February 18 at 03:50 pm and will arrive in Nagpur at 06:30 am the next day. - Train No. 01420 will depart from Nagpur on Fbruary 19 at 08:00 am and will arrive in Pune at 11:30 hrs the same day. All the Pune-Nagpur-Pune Superfast trains will be halting at Uruli, Daund Chord Line, Ahilyanagar, Belapur, Kopergaon, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Malkapur, Shegaon, Akola, Badnera, Dhamangaon and Wardha.
10 February,2026 07:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNationalist Congress Party (NCP) (SP) leader Rohit Pawar on Tuesday questioned last-minute changes and suspected sabotage angle in Ajit Pawar's death. Rohit Pawar made a detailed presentation to address doubts surrounding the circumstances in the plane crash near Baramati last month. The late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed in an airplane crash on January 28, 2026. Speaking at a press conference after the presentation, Rohit Pawar raised questions about last-minute changes in Ajit Pawar’s travel plans. Rohit Pawar said that his uncle Ajit Pawar was originally scheduled to travel from Mumbai to Pune on the evening of January 27, and his convoy was also ready. However, a meeting with a senior leader delayed him, leading to a change in plans and travel being shifted to the morning of January 28. Rohit Pawar said that Ajit Pawar was always cautious about flying and avoided unnecessary risks. Although he reached the airport on time, the flight departed late, he added. Rohit Pawar raises sabotage suspicions angle Rohit Pawar alleged that there were grounds to suspect sabotage in the air crash that killed his uncle. He demanded a comprehensive investigation by multiple expert agencies, including international bodies. Notably, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has earlier ruled out any conspiracy and described the incident as an accident. Rohit Pawar said the Crime Investigation Department (CID) alone would not have sufficient authority to probe the case thoroughly. He called for an independent investigation involving agencies such as the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis (BEA), the UK-based Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), along with Indian agencies. He also raised concerns that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) functions under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which could limit the scope of an independent inquiry. लाईव्ह |📍मुंबई | पत्रकारांशी संवाद |🗓️10-02-2026 https://t.co/9XAKinUZZx — Rohit Pawar (@RRPSpeaks) February 10, 2026 Questions over pilot and aircraft operator Rohit Pawar questioned the background of pilot Capt Sumit Kapoor, who was flying the aircraft on January 28, citing his past suspension for alcohol consumption. He also raised doubts about VSR Company, which owned the Learjet, and the handling agency Arrow. He alleged that VSR Company exercised influence over DGCA officials and questioned why its licence was not cancelled despite a previous aircraft crash in 2023. Rohit Pawar raised several technical questions, including whether the aircraft’s transponder was intentionally switched off in the final moments. He questioned why the pilot attempted landing on Runway 11 despite poor visibility and why no corrective action was taken when the aircraft tilted. He also demanded CCTV footage of earlier Learjet landings to verify whether the aircraft carried illegal additional fuel tanks. Change in travel plans and delay According to Rohit Pawar, Ajit Pawar was originally scheduled to travel to Pune on the evening of January 27, with his convoy ready. However, a late meeting with a senior leader delayed the plan, and the flight was booked late at night. Although the flight was scheduled to depart at 7 am on January 28, it took off only at 8.10 am, he said. The Learjet crash near Baramati airport killed Ajit Pawar, pilot Capt Sumit Kapoor, co-pilot Capt Shambhavi Pathak, PSO Vidip Jadhav and flight attendant Pinky Mali. The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that Baramati is an uncontrolled airfield without a dedicated air traffic control tower. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and DGCA have inspected the site, recovered the black box, and the Maharashtra CID has taken over the probe after an accidental death case was registered by Pune Rural Police. (with PTI inputs)
10 February,2026 07:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved a new land acquisition and allotment policy for development projects under the proposed 'Third Mumbai' near the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as Atal Setu, reported the PTI. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said around 200 square kilometres of land has been handed over to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to ensure planned development in the region. The policy will apply to areas under the newly formed New Town Development Authority and future projects implemented by MMRDA. The policy aims to speed up infrastructure development in the MTHL impact zone, which is expected to reduce congestion in Mumbai and promote balanced regional growth. Atal Setu connects Sewri in Mumbai with Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai. Other projects approved The Cabinet also approved a long-term loan of Rs 15,000 crore from NABARD for water resource projects, benefiting nearly eight lakh hectares of farmland. Other major decisions included land allocation for a cricket stadium in Kolhapur, formation of an SPV for the Purandar airport project in Pune, launch of a village health campaign, and approval of the Maharashtra government's PPP Policy 2026., according to the PTI. Mumbai’s Eastern Waterfront set for Rs 22,672 cr transformation Mumbai's Eastern Waterfront is all set for Rs 22,672 crore maritime transformation with new marina, convention centre, cruise facilities and more planned as part of the development. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, on Friday announced a Rs 22,672-crore plan to transform Mumbai Port’s Eastern Waterfront into a global maritime, logistics and tourism hub. The announcement came after a detailed review of ongoing and proposed projects at the Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA). An official statement said that the plan aims to position Mumbai as a leading maritime destination by 2047, supporting both port operations and urban development. The transformation strategy will follow strengthening core cargo operations and repurposing unused port land for tourism, business and public spaces, the statement said. "The plan is aligned with national initiatives such as the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, Cruise Bharat Mission, and NITI Aayog’s Mumbai Metropolitan Region Growth Hub Plan," the statement said. (with PTI inputs)
10 February,2026 05:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
