3 minutes of readingFebruary 12, 2026 11:40 am IST
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that while the investigation into the plane crash that killed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was underway, it was better to wait for the report and not draw immediate conclusions, adding that while doubts might arise, no one should play politics over the death of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader.
“The investigation into the plane crash is being carried out by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC). At the same time, a parallel investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department is also underway. We have to wait for the investigation report. Don’t rush to jump to conclusions,” Fadnavis told the media in Bombay.
Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28. Earlier this week, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar raised questions about the mishap, claiming that a conspiracy could not be ruled out and sought an investigation by foreign agencies.
“Ajit Pawar was a great leader admired and loved by the people of Maharashtra. It is understandable that people are raising questions and doubts. Rohit Pawar has raised doubts,” Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis said he was the first to write a letter to the Center and demand a probe into the matter. “The Ministry of Civil Aviation immediately responded and gave its approval. The DGAC is investigating. The black box has been recovered. We have to wait for the investigation to be completed,” Fadnavis said.
Commenting on Rohit Pawar’s demand for foreign agencies to probe the case, Fadnavis said: “Indian agencies are capable. They adhere to international standards. However, if there are concerns, Rohit Pawar should formally take up the matter with the DGCA.”
“If someone has concerns or raises doubts, it is not wrong. But if it is done for politics, it goes against the purpose,” he warned.
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Fadnavis called Ajit Pawar’s death “very unfortunate and sad” and said, “There should be no politics in this regard. The inquiry will present the facts before the people.”
Rohit Pawar had also presented an hour-long presentation that included 54 slides detailing Ajit Pawar’s movements from January 27 onwards. The filing raised a number of questions related to alleged discrepancies in visibility information, last-minute replacement of the pilot and a change in Ajit Pawar’s travel itinerary.
It was the first time since the accident that a member of the Pawar family had publicly alleged conspiracy in Ajit Pawar’s death.