Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra's Deputy CM, dies in Baramati in a plane crash

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress party leader Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash after his Learjet 45 aircraft crashed in Baramati on Wednesday morning.

There were five people on board the aircraft including crew that also included a personal security officer on board with Ajit Pawar on the aircraft which crashed at around 8.50am while landing at the Baramati. Ajit had flown from Mumbai to Baramati and he was supposed to campaign for the Baramati Zilla Parishad polls.

Ajit's body was recognised at the crash site with the wrist watch he was wearing.


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Eyewitnesses claim that they had a huge sound as the aircraft crashed and it burst into a ball of flames and that prevented the rescue efforts as the fire engulfed the aircraft for at least 20 minutes. Ajit’s body was discovered by the locals after a few minutes who then covered it with a blanket. An ambulance was stationed at the airport as per protocol and it transported all the people involved in the crash to a hospital where they were declared brought dead.

According to sources, those on the flight were Ajit Pawar, Captain Sumit Kapoor, Captain Shambhavi Path, Vidip Jadhav and Pinky Mali. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that there were six people on board.

Supriya Sule and Sharad Pawar who were in Delhi are flying back to Baramati while Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are also doing the same.

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Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, said that the cause of the crash would be investigated. “ We will investigate this crash, this is a black day for Maharashtra.”

Ajit Pawar has served as Deputy Chief Ministers under several Chief Ministers in different governments from Congress Chief Ministers Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan to Shiv Sena Chief Ministers Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde, BJP Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. All the time holding the key finance department portfolio.

Known to be a stickler for time Ajit Pawar used to hold meetings with officials at even 7am. Ajit is survived by his two sons Parth and Jay Pawar and wife Sunetra. Jay Pawar got married in December last year.