Ajit Pawar Death: This Is How The Deputy CM's Body Was Identified After Plane Crash

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 14:37 IST

The crash was extremely severe, triggering four to five explosions and the aircraft was reduced to ashes, making immediate identification of the deceased difficult

Ajit Pawar's Learjet 45XR aircraft was flying from Mumbai to Baramati in Pune district. (PTI photo)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on Wednesday after a chartered aircraft carrying him went out of control while attempting to land in Baramati. Four other people on board, including the pilot and co-pilot, were also killed in the accident.

According to officials, the Learjet 45XR aircraft was flying from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Baramati in Pune district, Ajit Pawar’s hometown. The crash occurred during the landing attempt, following which the aircraft caught fire and was completely gutted.

Eyewitnesses said the crash was extremely severe, triggering four to five explosions and sending thick black smoke into the sky. The aircraft was reduced to ashes, and all five bodies were badly charred, making immediate identification difficult.

Ajit Pawar’s body, however, was identified through a wristwatch he was known to wear regularly, eliminating the immediate need for DNA testing, said a News18 Hindi report. Relatives were initially asked to provide DNA samples due to the condition of the remains, but the identification was confirmed through the personal belonging recovered from the site.

An eyewitness said it was impossible to visually identify the bodies as the aircraft had been completely destroyed in the fire. The recovery of the wristwatch later confirmed Ajit Pawar’s identity, the report said.

Ajit Pawar, 66, was a senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, and the nephew of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. His death has triggered widespread grief across political circles.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the crash. Officials are examining possible causes, including technical failure, weather conditions, and pilot error. The search for the aircraft’s black box is currently underway.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident and cancelled all scheduled programmes. He is expected to leave for Baramati along with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Speaking to the media, Fadnavis described Ajit Pawar as a grassroots leader known for his simplicity and hard work, calling his death an irreparable loss to Maharashtra and a personal loss to him.

According to reports, Maharashtra has announced three days of state mourning from January 28 to 30. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast and official programmes will remain suspended. Ajit Pawar’s last rites are expected to be held in Baramati later today.

News india Ajit Pawar Death: This Is How The Deputy CM's Body Was Identified After Plane Crash

Read More