By A Correspondent

Mumbai: A private operator’s Learjet 45 aircraft crashed on January 28, 2026, during landing at Baramati in Maharashtra, killing all the occupants, including the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar (66), the leader of the National Congress Party (NCP).

As top Indian political leaders condoled the death of a key political leader of Maharashtra, opposition parties demanded a judicial probe into the crash, suspecting foulplay.

The aircraft was operated by a Delhi-based private airline service company called VSR Ventures, and it was attempting an emergency landing early in the morning after reporting technical glitches to the Air Traffic Control.

According to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials, Ajit Pawar was on board along with two other personnel — a personal security ofcer and an attendant — and two crew members, including the pilot-in-command. They said, no one on board the ill-fated aircraft survived the crash.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home minister Amit Shah, who expressed deep sorrow over the air crash and loss of lives, contacted Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to receive updates on the accident, according to the Maharashtra government officials.

His immediate and extended family members, and colleagues in the government, including Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, cancelled their programmes and rushed to Baramati, according to information received from official quarters. Ajit Pawar was to join political rallies in Baramati in view of the rural local bodies elections in the state.

Leaders of opposition parties demanded a thorough probe into the air crash involving the private aircraft that was carrying Ajit Pawar and four others. The investigation calls included those led by the DGCA or the Supreme Court.

Senior Indian National Congress leader Digvijay Singh, raising questions over the air crash, said, “Why did this happen? From preliminary information I have received, a similar accident involving the same company occurred in Mumbai three years ago. This incident took place in low visibility. Normally, landing should not be attempted unless visibility is at least five kilometres.”

He said, “The DGCA should conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. It must also be examined who was responsible for the aircraft’s maintenance and whether DGCA clearance had been granted.”

Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition and INC president Mallikarjun Kharge also called for an investigation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, expressing shock over the air crash, demanded a Supreme Court-supervised probe, and alleged that government agencies could not be trusted.

She alleged a possible political conspiracy, claiming Ajit Pawar was planning to leave the Fadnavis-led government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance in Maharashtra.

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