Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, along with five others, was reportedly killed in a plane crash near Baramati, Maharashtra, on January 28, 2026. The incident took place as the aircraft was attempting to land. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the fatalities of all six individuals on board.
The tragic event occurred around 9 a.m., shortly after the plane departed from Mumbai, Maharashtra. As per an IANS report, Pawar was en route from Mumbai to Baramati to participate in a public meeting during the ongoing elections for the Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis.
Emergency services and high-ranking security officials arrived at the crash site in Baramati shortly after the incident. Rescue teams were dispatched immediately after the aircraft reportedly lost control during the landing process. Further information regarding the plane crash is pending. Reports indicate that local residents hurried to the scene after witnessing the aircraft’s descent.
Prime Minister Mourns
Following the tragic plane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra, on January 28, 2026, it has been reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a telephonic discussion with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. According to officials from the Maharashtra government, they were informed about the accident and the most recent updates regarding the situation.
The aircraft was carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, along with two crew members and four other passengers. A senior official from the DGCA has confirmed that, thus far, there have been no survivors from the plane crash. PM Modi conveyed his condolences via his official X account, referring to Pawar as a “people’s leader.”
“He was highly regarded as a diligent individual who consistently placed himself at the forefront in serving the people of Maharashtra,” stated PM Modi. He additionally commended the Maharashtra Deputy CM for his administrative expertise and his “dedication to uplifting the underprivileged and marginalized.”
Home Minister Amit Shah conveyed his sympathies to the Pawar family, stating, “During this time of sorrow, the entire NDA stands resolutely with the grieving Pawar family. May the Almighty provide the departed soul with a place at His divine feet.”
Lear Jet 45
Manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace, the Learjet 45, which was launched in 1998, is characterized as ‘a mid-size business jet featuring two engines.’ This aircraft can seat up to 8 passengers along with two crew members and is equipped with swivel seats that can be converted into work tables, as reported by blade.com.
The Learjet 45 is operated by VSR Ventures, a company based in Delhi with its office located in the Mahipalpur area, and it also conducts operations in Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bhopal. The company was established in 2009, according to information from LinkedIn.
VK Singh, the top official of VSR, was cited by Aaj Tak stating that the aircraft was entirely safe and that the crew possessed considerable experience. He mentioned that the crash might have been attributed to poor visibility.
Updated News
Regulators in the aviation sector have verified that the aircraft, a mid-size business jet run by a charter company located in Delhi, went down as it was nearing the Baramati airstrip. The passengers included Ajit Pawar, along with security personnel, support staff, and two flight crew members. Emergency services and district officials reached the crash site soon after the event, but there were no reported survivors.
