Maharashtra Government Orders CID Probe Into Ajit Pawar's Fatal Plane Crash
The Maharashtra state government has taken a significant step in the investigation of the tragic plane crash that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. On Thursday, the government formally directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate the cause of death in the incident that occurred near the Baramati airstrip on Wednesday morning.
CID Takes Charge of Accidental Death Report
Additional Director-General of Police (CID) Sunil Ramanand confirmed that the state government issued an order on Thursday morning, mandating the CID to carry out the investigation of the accidental death report (ADR) registered with the Baramati taluka police station. Ramanand stated, "I have issued an order to the police teams at the scene not to allow anyone near the crash site or the airstrip. The area has been cordoned off. Our team has also reached the site and is protecting it. The forensic team collected evidence from the spot."
CID team members collected the accidental death report from the Baramati Taluka police station and visited other offices in the town. This action comes a day after the Learjet 45 aircraft, which was ferrying Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, crashed just a few metres away from the Baramati airstrip.
Victims of the Tragic Incident
The plane crash resulted in the tragic loss of five lives. Along with Ajit Pawar, the other victims included his personal security officer Vidip Jadhav, the aircraft's pilot Captain Sumit Kapur, co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, and flight attendant Pinky Mali. The accident has sent shockwaves through the political and aviation communities in Maharashtra.
Multiple Agencies Involved in Investigation
While the CID focuses on the accidental death report, the plane crash and the technical reasons behind it are being separately investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and a team from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. This multi-agency approach aims to cover all aspects of the tragedy.
ADG (CID) Ramanand emphasized, "We will investigate the ADR case. The state government has sought a detailed investigation report on it. We will submit the report after studying all aspects of the case."
Police Face Challenges in Securing Crash Site
The CID and police teams encountered significant challenges in preventing groups of people from approaching the plane crash site, which is located approximately 8km from Vidya Pratishtan—the site of Ajit Pawar's funeral. Many mourners and curious onlookers attempted to visit the crash location.
Machindra Raut, one of the individuals who wanted to see the site, expressed his emotions, saying, "We were too heartbroken to see the place on Wednesday. All our friends saw the spot where Dada was taken away from us on Wednesday. So, we decided to see it for ourselves today (Thursday), but the police are not allowing anyone near the crash site now."
Rajesh Arne from Pune, who had come with friends for Ajit Pawar's funeral, also expressed his desire to visit the crash spot. "People told us that the airstrip was right next to the crash site. We want to see the place. We don't understand why the police are stopping people," he said.
Forensic Evidence Collection and Site Protection
The forensic team has been actively collecting evidence from the crash site, while police personnel maintain strict security around the cordoned-off area. The investigation aims to determine the precise circumstances that led to this fatal accident, which has left a significant void in Maharashtra's political landscape.
The state government's decision to involve the CID underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating this investigation, ensuring that all possible angles are examined thoroughly before conclusions are drawn about this tragic event.
