In a deeply somber ceremony on January 29, 2026, the state of Maharashtra bid a final farewell to its Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar. Thousands gathered at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati to witness the last rites of the veteran leader, who tragically died in a plane crash just a day earlier.
The Last Rites
The funeral was conducted with full state honours, reflecting Pawar’s long-standing influence in Indian politics. The atmosphere was thick with emotion as the following unfolded:
- Family’s Goodbye: Pawar’s wife, Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, and their sons, Parth and Jay, performed the final rituals. Jay Pawar was formally handed the national flag that had draped his father’s mortal remains.
- Public Mourning: Thousands of supporters lined the streets of Baramati, chanting “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe” (Long live Ajit Dada) as the flower-decked funeral procession moved through the city.
- Dignitaries in Attendance: Top leaders from across the political spectrum arrived to pay their respects, including:
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah
- Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis
- NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar
- Deputy CM Eknath Shinde
- Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
The Tragic Accident
The 66-year-old leader, often called “Dada” by his followers, lost his life on Wednesday, January 28, when a chartered Learjet 45 crashed near the Baramati airport.
| Detail | Information |
| Incident Date | January 28, 2026 |
| Time of Crash | Approximately 8:45 AM IST |
| Location | Baramati Airport, Pune District |
| Flight Path | Mumbai to Baramati |
| Casualties | 5 (Ajit Pawar, his PSO, and 3 crew members) |
| Probable Cause | Under investigation; initial reports cite low visibility and fog |
Official Action: The Maharashtra government has declared three days of state mourning to honor the late Deputy Chief Minister.
Investigation Status
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched a formal probe. While a police official confirmed that an Accidental Death Report (ADR) has been registered, aviation experts are currently analyzing the flight data and black box to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the crash.