Ajit Pawar's Last Rites To Be Performed In Baramati Today

Maharashtra is set to bid a final, solemn farewell to its Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, Ajit Pawar, today. His last rites will be performed with full state honours in Baramati, his political bastion, following his tragic demise in a plane crash. The state government has declared a three-day period of mourning, during which the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings across Maharashtra as a mark of respect.

Pawar’s mortal remains have been placed at the Vidya Pratishtan ground in Baramati, allowing countless supporters, party workers, and local residents to pay their final respects. A massive turnout is anticipated throughout the day, reflecting the widespread grief and profound impact of his sudden passing on the political landscape and the public alike.

The funeral ceremony is expected to draw a host of national and state dignitaries. Among those scheduled to attend are Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with numerous other senior political figures. Furthermore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are also anticipated to be present, underscoring the national significance of Pawar's contributions and the gravity of the loss.

The tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday morning when a Learjet 45 aircraft, bearing registration number VT-SSK, crashed near Baramati Airport. The accident claimed the lives of Ajit Pawar and four other individuals on board. Authorities have since initiated comprehensive investigations into the cause of the fatal crash.

Police have registered an accidental death report (ADR), and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken charge of the extensive probe. Their focus will be on examining all aspects leading to the disaster, including mechanical failures, human error, and environmental factors.

Beyond Deputy Chief Minister Pawar, the Learjet 45, operated by VSR Ventures, also carried a personal security officer (PSO), a flight attendant, and two highly experienced crew members: a Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and a Second-in-Command (SIC). The other victims have been identified as Vidip Jadhav (male) and Pinky Mali (female). The crew members were named as PIC Sumit Kapur and SIC Shambhavi Pathak, according to the official passenger manifest. The loss of all five individuals has sent shockwaves across the nation.

A detailed account from the Ministry of Civil Aviation revealed critical moments leading up to the crash. The aircraft had initially received clearance to land on Runway 11 at 8:43 a.m., but the flight crew had previously aborted an initial landing sequence. Alarmingly, Air Traffic Control (ATC) personnel reported a chilling silence after transmitting the landing clearance, receiving no verbal acknowledgment or readback from the cockpit crew.

Just sixty seconds later, at 8:44 a.m., ground controllers witnessed a sudden and terrifying burst of flames erupting near the threshold of the tabletop runway, signaling the catastrophic impact. This sequence of events is now a primary focus of the ongoing investigation.

The incident has also brought considerable scrutiny upon the operator, VSR Ventures, which manages a fleet of 17 aircraft. Aviation authorities have highlighted a concerning precedent: on September 14, 2023, another Learjet 45 owned by the same company, with registration VT-DBL, was involved in a separate accident during a landing attempt at Mumbai Airport. That previous incident remains under active investigation, raising questions about the operator's safety protocols and maintenance standards. The combined tragedies underscore the urgent need for a thorough and transparent inquiry to prevent future occurrences and ensure aviation safety.