West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the Baramati plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. “We Trust Only the Supreme Court,” she said, seeking a credible probe.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the plane crash in Baramati that resulted in the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
She raised concerns about possible foul play and questioned the safety of political leaders in the country.
Addressing the media, Banerjee expressed her shock over Pawar’s demise, labeling the incident as a significant loss for the nation.
She stated that “there was no safety and security for political figures and referenced recent social media rumors suggesting that Pawar was contemplating leaving the BJP.”
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Emphasizing that only a probe overseen by the Supreme Court would be deemed credible, she noted,
“What happened today raises serious questions,”
She continued,
“We have trust only in the Supreme Court, no other agency,”
Various political leaders have echoed the call for a thorough investigation into the plane crash that took Pawar’s life, along with five others. Among those demanding accountability were Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Prakash Ambedkar, leader of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, all of whom expressed their condolences.
Lalu Prasad Yadav, advocating for a high-level inquiry, stated on X that “he was extremely heartbroken” and offered prayers for the peace of Ajit Pawar’s soul and strength for his family and supporters, paying a “humble tribute” to the late leader.
Gaurav Gogoi called for a proper and transparent investigation into the matter, expressing his deep sadness over Pawar’s unexpected passing and acknowledging the lasting impact of his public service on Maharashtra’s political landscape.
Prakash Ambedkar also emphasized the necessity of a proper investigation while expressing his shock at Pawar’s death. He extended his condolences to Pawar’s family, friends, and supporters, adding that “whether you liked it or not, Ajit had his own style of political work.”
At the time of the crash, Ajit Pawar was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati, specifically to address four public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections. The aircraft, a 16-year-old Bombardier Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures Pvt. Ltd. and registered VT-SSK, was completely destroyed on impact, scattering debris and producing significant smoke at the crash site.
Initial reports indicate that the jet encountered difficulties during landing, although the precise sequence of events is still being confirmed, with no survivors found. The twin-engine light jet, which is commonly used for VIP and corporate travel and suitable for regional airports like Baramati, had taken off from Mumbai at 8:10 am.
Flightradar data reveals that the aircraft made an unsuccessful first landing attempt at 8:30 am, likely due to low visibility, and tried a second approach at 8:42 am before vanishing from radar around 8:45 am, ultimately crashing near the threshold of runway 11.
Visibility conditions at Baramati were poor, and the airport does not have a night-landing facility, which complicates safe landings in such weather. Pawar’s body was later identified by the watch he was wearing, as the crash rendered the victims unrecognizable.