Pune: Ajit Pawar Plane Crash Report by January; CM says CID Found No Suspicious Financial Trail Linked to Pilot
Pune, 11th July 2026: The final investigation report into the aircraft crash that claimed the life of then deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar is expected by January next year, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the Maharashtra Assembly on Friday, adding that any probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would begin only after the technical findings are submitted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Replying to a discussion in the House, Fadnavis said the state government had sought a CBI inquiry into the crash, but the central agency would have to wait for the AAIB to complete its investigation. He also said data from the aircraft’s black box and other onboard recording devices had been successfully retrieved.
Ajit Pawar was killed on January 28 this year when the private aircraft carrying him from Mumbai to Baramati crashed near Baramati airport, killing all those on board.
Fadnavis said aircraft accident investigations typically take time because of their technical nature, but the state had requested the Centre to expedite the process. According to him, the Union government has also involved foreign experts in the investigation, and the final report is expected before the first anniversary of the crash.
The Chief Minister said the Maharashtra CID, which is conducting a parallel investigation, has examined multiple aspects of the case, including the background of the flight crew.
“Questions were raised about pilot Sumit Kapoor. The CID examined his bank accounts, insurance policies and stock market transactions, but found nothing suspicious,” Fadnavis said.
He maintained that neither the CID nor the CBI could arrive at criminal liability until the AAIB establishes the technical cause of the crash.
“I understand the emotions surrounding the incident, but accountability has to be based on evidence. We cannot legally fix responsibility until the AAIB submits its final findings,” Fadnavis said.
