Drone Ban Tightened in Pune Rural Ahead of Ajit Pawar’s State Funeral in Baramati
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune/Baramati, 28th January 2026: With the funeral of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP National President Ajit Pawar scheduled in Baramati on Thursday, January 29, the Pune District Administration has imposed strict restrictions on the use of drones and other flying objects across Pune Rural. The prohibitory order comes amid heightened security for the state funeral, where thousands of supporters and top politicians from across India are expected to gather.
Additional District Magistrate Jyoti Kadam issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, citing intelligence inputs and recent complaints of unidentified aerial activity. The ban, which is already in force, will remain valid for two months. Officials said the decision is crucial in the backdrop of Ajit Pawar’s antyadarshan and antyayatra, when large crowds and VVIP movement will converge in Baramati.
According to the administration, the Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) flagged potential threats to vital installations, religious sites, dams and central government institutes in the district. Over the past few days, residents in Daund, Baramati and Shirur talukas reported drones flying at night, creating panic and raising concerns about surveillance, sabotage or criminal reconnaissance.
Under the order, the unauthorized use of the following has been banned:
Drones
Remote-controlled microlight aircraft
Paragliders and paramotors
Hang gliders
Hot air balloons
However, authorized use is allowed with strict conditions. Private individuals, event managers and professional photographers must inform the local police station at least seven days in advance and obtain written permission from the in-charge officer before operating any drone.
Violators will face legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). All police stations and tehsildars in Haveli, Shirur, Maval, Mulshi, Junnar, Ambegaon, Khed, Bhor, Velha, Daund, Purandar, Baramati and Indapur have been directed to strictly enforce the order.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra is preparing to bid a final farewell to Ajit Pawar with full state honours. Public viewing (antyadarshan) of his mortal remains began at 4 pm on Wednesday at Vidya Pratishthan Ground, Baramati. The funeral procession (antyayatra) will start at 9 am on Thursday from Gadima Sabhagruh, followed by the last rites at 11 am at Vidya Pratishthan Ground. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and several senior central and state leaders are expected to attend.
Ajit Pawar, 66, died earlier on Wednesday in a tragic plane crash near Baramati Airport. The chartered Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) crashed around 8.44 am during a second landing attempt after poor visibility forced a go-around. The aircraft burst into flames on impact, killing all five on board, the DGCA confirmed.
Those who lost their lives with Pawar include his security officer Vidip Jadhav, cabin crew member Pinky Mali (29), and pilots Captain Sumit Kapoor and Captain Shambhavi Pathak. Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati after a cabinet meeting and was heading to campaign for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections.
The Maharashtra government has declared three days of state mourning from January 28 to 30, with the national flag at half-mast and no official entertainment programmes. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a probe into the crash.
