Mumbai: Following the sudden death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a tragic plane crash last month, political controversy and demands for a thorough investigation have intensified. Acting on these concerns, officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Pune unit, on Wednesday conducted an extensive inquiry of Pawar’s Personal Secretary, Avinash Solvat, at the Mantralaya.
Four-Hour Mantralaya Questioning
The CID team reached Ajit Pawar’s office on the seventh floor of the Mantralaya around 2 pm and questioned Solvat for more than four hours. The inquiry continued till late evening and was yet to be completed. During this period, no one was allowed to enter Solvat’s chamber, sources said.
According to officials familiar with the probe, Solvat—considered one of Pawar’s most trusted aides and associated with him for over 15 years—was questioned about the late leader’s final travel plans, schedule on January 28, and conversations held a day prior to the incident. The CID also sought details regarding who planned the journey, the aircraft’s technical condition, and whether Pawar had noticed or mentioned anything unusual in the days leading up to the crash.
Sources indicated that the CID may record statements of other staff members who were closely associated with Pawar as part of the ongoing investigation.
Crash Details & Foul Play Suspicions
Ajit Pawar was killed on January 28 when the aircraft he was travelling in from Mumbai to Baramati met with a devastating accident on the runway at Baramati airport after reportedly losing control. Five people, including Pawar, died on the spot. While the incident was initially termed an accident, suspicions of foul play have since been raised in political circles.
Leaders from Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) and even sections of the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) have demanded a high-level and transparent investigation into the crash. NCP MLA Amol Mitkari has been at the forefront of these demands and has now called for the immediate release of CCTV footage of Pawar’s final journey.
Mitkari’s Demand for CCTV Footage
In a post on social media, Mitkari urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to officially release all CCTV footage from Mumbai airport—from the main entry gate to the moment Ajit Pawar boarded the aircraft—dated January 28, 2026, even before the black box analysis report is made public. He said such transparency was essential to dispel doubts and restore public confidence.
Mitkari had earlier raised several unanswered questions regarding the crash, including discrepancies in the number of casualties, inconsistencies in the passenger list, the absence of burnt documents at the site, and the frequent changes of pilots before the flight. He questioned why, if six people were reportedly on board, only five bodies were recovered.
Echoing similar concerns, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut described the incident as “suspicious” and said the people of Maharashtra have a right to know how and why Ajit Pawar died. “This was not an ordinary accident. The circumstances surrounding his death raise serious questions,” Raut told reporters.
Scheme Renaming Demand Considered
Meanwhile, on a related political note, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the state government would consider the demand to rename the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana after the late deputy chief minister. The demand was raised by NCP MLC Amol Mitkari, who said Pawar was fondly regarded as a brother by women across the state.
“There are several demands. We will sit together and decide how to proceed,” Fadnavis said while speaking to reporters in Haridwar. Mitkari stated that renaming the scheme as “Ajitdadanchi Ladki Bahin Yojana” would be a fitting tribute, recalling how Pawar’s wrists would often be filled with rakhis during his statewide tours.
Security and Condolences
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the state government has upgraded security cover for Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar to Z-plus category. Earlier, she was provided Y-category security as a family member of the deputy chief minister.
Condolence messages continue to pour into Sunetra Pawar’s office from across the country. Letters expressing grief have been received from President Droupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, several Union ministers, chief ministers, and ministers from various states.
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