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Tricolour draped over Ajit Pawar’s remains handed to son Jay

The National Flag that covered the mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar during the state funeral was formally presented to his son Jay Pawar before the final rites.

Supriya Sule consoles Sunetra Pawar ahead of Ajit Pawar’s last rites

NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule met and consoled Sunetra Pawar ahead of the commencement of the last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

DGCA teams reach Baramati as Ajit Pawar Crash Probe Begins

Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and forensic teams reached the crash site in Baramati on Thursday to begin on-ground investigations into the aircraft accident that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and others. The chartered plane had crash-landed on Wednesday morning near the Baramati airstrip.

Pune Rural Police confirmed that an Accidental Death Report has been filed at the Baramati Taluka Police Station. “An ADR has been registered in connection with the air crash in which Ajit Pawar lost his life. Further investigation has been initiated,” a police official said, adding that the inquiry is underway, reported ANI.

Union Minister Raksha Khadse described the incident as deeply distressing, saying the State had lost a rare leader. “The accident is heart-rending. Maharashtra will not see another leader like Ajit Dada. He worked in the interiors and contributed significantly to the State’s development,” she told reporters.

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar and Raj Thackeray arrived in Baramati to attend the funeral. Preparations were underway at the Vidya Pratishthan grounds, where the last rites will be held with full state honours.

Supporters gathered outside the Ahilyabai Holkar Government Medical College as Pawar’s mortal remains were brought out. His final procession, scheduled to begin at 9 am, will pass through the town before concluding at the funeral venue. Pawar, who was travelling to Baramati for a Zilla Parishad election rally, is survived by his wife Sunetra Pawar and sons Jay and Parth Pawar.

Mourners gather in Katewadi to bid farewell to Ajit Pawar

Hundreds of people gathered outside the Katewadi home of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday morning, as mourners from the village and surrounding areas arrived to pay their last respects to the leader who died in a plane crash a day earlier. Residents from Katewadi and neighbouring villages, along with party workers, queued through the lanes, raising slogans of “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe."

Many struggled to process the loss. “A leader like him will not be born again,” several mourners said, recalling his role in the region’s growth. Sixty-five-year-old Ganpat Thombre, fighting back tears, said it was still impossible to accept that “Dada is no more.” Though Pawar held high office, Thombre noted that he remained closely involved with local issues and had personally helped his family.

Another visitor, Chandrakant Mali from Dharashiv, described the loss by saying Maharashtra had “lost a diamond.” Inside the residence, Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar, sons Parth and Jay, and brother Shrinivas received condolences. Among those who visited were Raj Thackeray and actor Riteish Deshmukh. After the final darshan, the mortal remains were taken to Baramati for the state funeral.

(With agency inputs)

Black boxes recovered after Baramati crash that killed Ajit Pawar

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday said the black box of the aircraft that crashed in Baramati on January 28, killing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has been recovered, and the investigation is moving swiftly. In a post on X, the Ministry said, “Ensuring a thorough, transparent, and time-bound inquiry remains a top priority.”

According to the Ministry, two separate teams-three officers from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in Delhi and three from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation Mumbai regional office -reached the crash site on January 28. The Director General of AAIB also arrived on the same day. “The investigation is progressing expeditiously, and the black box of the ill-fated aircraft has been recovered,” the Ministry said, adding that the probe has been initiated under Rules 5 and 11 of the AAIB Rules, 2025.

Officials confirmed that both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were secured from the site. Meanwhile, funeral preparations are underway in Baramati, where Pawar’s final journey will pass through the town before the last rites are held later in the morning.

Ajit Pawar’s hearse moves to Vidya Pratishthan as crowds pay tribute

The hearse transporting the mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar proceeded toward the Vidya Pratishthan grounds for the final rites, as people lined the streets to offer their last respects.

Ajit Pawar laid to rest with full State honours in Baramati

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a charter aircraft crash at Baramati on Wednesday, was accorded full state honours. His wife, Sunetra Pawar and sons Parth and Jay were present during the ceremonies.

Crowds gather in Baramati for Ajit Pawar’s last rites

Large crowds were seen making their way to the Vidya Pratishthan grounds in Baramati to attend the last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Watch: Supriya Sule arrives at Vidya Pratishthan for Ajit Pawar’s last rites

NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule reached the Vidya Pratishthan grounds ahead of the final rites of Ajit Pawar.

Raj Thackeray meets Sharad Pawar to offer condolences in Baramati

MNS president Raj Thackeray met Sharad Pawar in Baramati to offer his condolences over the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.