Source The Hindu
BARAMATI – The Maharashtra State Intelligence and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has officially taken over the investigation into the tragic plane crash that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others on Wednesday.
The move comes as authorities seek to rule out any possibility of sabotage or foul play in the high-profile accident. While the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) focuses on the technical causes of the crash, the CID will conduct a parallel probe into the “Accidental Death Report” (ADR) originally filed by the Pune Rural Police.
Details of the Incident
The tragedy occurred on the morning of January 28, 2026, when a Bombardier Learjet 45 carrying the 66-year-old NCP leader crashed barely 200 meters from the edge of the Baramati tabletop airstrip. Pawar was traveling from Mumbai to his hometown to address a series of rallies for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections.
The crash resulted in five fatalities:
Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Captain Sumit Kapoor, Pilot-in-command (15,000+ flying hours).
Captain Shambhavi Pathak, Co-pilot.
Vidip Jadhav, Personal Security Officer (PSO).
Pinky Mali, Flight attendant.
The Investigation Focus
A senior CID official confirmed that teams have already visited the crash site and collected documents from the Baramati Taluka police station. Key areas of the investigation include:
Sabotage Clearance: Investigators are scrutinizing the aircraft’s security and maintenance logs prior to its departure from Mumbai to ensure no external interference occurred.
ATC Communication: Reports indicate the aircraft was cleared for landing after an initial “go-around” due to low visibility. However, the crew failed to provide a “read-back” to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) just moments before the jet plummeted.
The “Black Box“: The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) have been recovered. Experts are currently deciphering the final moments of audio to understand the crew’s last actions.
Visual Evidence: CCTV footage from the airport perimeter shows the aircraft tilting sharply and losing stability during its final descent, suggesting a potential aerodynamic stall or sudden engine failure.
State in Mourning
The Maharashtra government has declared a three-day state mourning for the veteran leader. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described Pawar’s death as an “irreparable loss,” while leaders across the political spectrum have called for a transparent and thorough inquiry into the safety protocols of chartered flights used by VVIPs.
The CID is expected to submit its preliminary findings within the coming weeks.
