Jay Pawar meets CID in Pune on Ajit Pawar crash probe, told AAIB preliminary report is in

NCP leader Jay Pawar, son of the late Ajit Pawar, met senior officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Pune on Wednesday, October 28, to ask how far the investigation into his father's fatal plane crash has moved. The visit came on the day nine months were completed since the accident.

Sunil Ramanand, Additional Director General of Police, CID, told him that the agency has received a preliminary technical report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), a Central government body. Its technical findings are now being studied. Ramanand said further legal steps will follow only after the final report is in hand.

Jay Pawar, who is a youth leader of the party, spoke to the officers for roughly five to ten minutes. He wanted to know what action has been taken so far, which aspects of the probe are still pending, and how much longer it will take to finish. Legislator Vikram Kakade accompanied him.

He said the inquiry must move fast, be open and not suffer needless delay. In his words, the matter is "a question of the trust of lakhs of people who love Dada", as Ajit Pawar was known everywhere. He asked the CID to examine every important aspect of the crash and place all the facts before the public. If wrongdoing is established, he added, responsibility must be fixed and action taken. He said he would not let the matter rest until the truth emerges.

Ajit Pawar, a former Deputy Chief Minister, died on the morning of January 28, 2026, when a chartered Learjet 45 flying from Mumbai to Baramati crashed while landing at Baramati airport. The aircraft was operated by VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, and others on board were also killed. The state government handed the probe to the CID.

Before the meeting, there had been little public news from the investigation, which left supporters of Ajitdada confused and puzzled that the cause remained unexplained after nine months. MLA Rohit Pawar had earlier voiced suspicion that the crash was a conspiracy and not an accident, held several press conferences to present what he called evidence, and sought a high-level inquiry. He also tried to have a case registered, but none was recorded on his complaint.

NCP leaders led by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar had earlier met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and asked for a CBI inquiry. The case has not been transferred and remains with the CID. The Opposition has repeatedly attacked the party, arguing that despite being in power it seems indifferent to the probe and that the family has stayed silent.