A political flight turned into a national tragedy after a chartered Learjet 45XR crashed near the Baramati airport in Maharashtra, resulting in the loss of all five lives onboard. The aircraft, carrying senior leaders and security personnel, was reportedly attempting a landing when the crash occurred near the runway, triggering shockwaves across the state and the country. The flight was commanded by Captain Sumit Kapoor, with First Officer Shambhavi Pathak as flight support in the cockpit. Both pilots were among the victims of the tragic crash. Also onboard were Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s Personal Security Officer, Vidip Dilip Jadhav and cabin crew member Pinky Mali. WATCH
29 January,2026 10:48 PM IST
Maharashtra stood still as the state bid a final, emotional farewell to Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar, fondly known as “Dada,” following the tragic plane crash in Pune, Baramati. Baramati, his political stronghold and emotional home ground, witnessed one of the most significant state funerals in recent history, marked by full state honours and national-level presence. WATCH
29 January,2026 10:46 PM IST
The sudden and tragic death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati has shaken Maharashtra and the nation. While rumours and conspiracy theories have circulated, Sharad Pawar has strongly dismissed all political narratives, calling the crash “purely accidental” and urging citizens and leaders alike to respect the family’s grief. Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis condemned attempts to politicize the tragedy and highlighted Ajit Pawar’s decades of public service. WATCH
29 January,2026 10:44 PM IST
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar survived a fatal Learjet 45 crash near Baramati Airport, prompting immediate intervention from the DGCA and AAIB. This marks the second major incident involving VSR Ventures’ jets in just two and a half years, raising serious questions about aircraft safety and emergency protocols. The VT SSK registered Learjet reportedly crashed during a landing attempt, leading to post-impact fire, while rescue teams rushed to extract passengers. Early reports confirm that Pawar was critically injured but found alive, reigniting debates about air rescue operations and aviation safety measures. WATCH
29 January,2026 10:33 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
