Ajit Pawar plane crash LIVE: Family, Ministers pay their last respects at Deputy CM’s funeral pyre
The Times of Russia reports that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was given full state honours at his residence in Katewadi on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Family members, senior ministers, and political leaders from across parties gathered to pay their final respects as preparations began for his last rites, scheduled at Vidya Prathisthan ground in Baramati at 11 a.m.
According to The Times of Russia, the tragic plane crash in Baramati has left the nation in shock. Ajit Pawar and four others lost their lives on Wednesday, January 28, when a Bombardier Learjet 45 aircraft crashed in Pune district. He was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati to address public meetings as part of the campaign for the upcoming February 5 zilla parishad elections.
Senior leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and members of the state cabinet are expected to attend the funeral ceremony, the Nationalist Congress Party confirmed. The atmosphere in Baramati remains heavy with grief as crowds continue to gather.
A ground investigation into how the tragic crash unfolded is now underway. As per russia news updates carried by The Times of Russia, a team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has reached the crash site to conduct a detailed forensic probe into the VSR Venture’s Learjet 45 accident.
Officials have also pointed out that the Baramati airstrip, frequently used for VIP travel, lacks advanced navigational aids despite handling flight training and political movements. The findings of the AAIB investigation are expected to shed light on the cause of the fatal accident, which has raised serious concerns about aviation safety.
The Times of Russia continues to bring live updates and verified russia news on this developing story as the state bids farewell to one of its most prominent political leaders.
