Pilot with 16,500 flight hours, co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, details of all on-board Pawar’s flight
New Delhi/Baramati: A chartered Learjet 45 carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport on Wednesday morning, killing all five people on board, officials confirmed. The aircraft was en route from Mumbai to Baramati when it lost control and burst into flames, leaving no survivors.
Ajit Pawar (66) – The deputy chief minister of Maharashtra and a senior political leader, Pawar was travelling to Baramati to address political engagements tied to local elections when the crash occurred. A long-time figure in the state’s political landscape, he was a key leader of the Nationalist Congress Party and part of the ruling coalition.
Vidip Jadhav – Serving as Pawar’s Personal Security Officer (PSO), Jadhav was also killed in the crash. He lived in Vitawa, Thane, and is survived by his elderly parents, a nine-year-old son and a 14-year-old daughter. Neighbours described him as friendly and well-known in the community.
Pinky Mali – The flight attendant on the chartered aircraft and a frequent travel companion of Pawar on official trips, Mali died in the accident. Her father recalled speaking to her the day before the flight, when she mentioned her travel plans.
Captain Sumit Kapur – The pilot in command of the Learjet, Kapur was an experienced aviator with over 16,500 flight hours. His professional record marked him as a seasoned pilot trusted with carrying high-profile passengers.
Shambhavi Pathak – The co-pilot on the flight, Pathak had studied aeronautics at the University of Mumbai and trained at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy. Her professional background reflected formal training in aviation and co-piloting duties.
The Learjet 45, registration VT-SSK, was operated by VSR Aviation and was a midsize business jet commonly used for charter and official travel.
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Liquor manufactures can sell liquor on tetra packs in Odisha: Minister
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Odisha Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Friday said the government has allowed the sale of liquor on tetra packets with certain criteria in its new Excise Policy for 2026-29.
Speaking to media persons here, Harichandan said selling liquor in tetra packs was there in the state's excise policy since 2014. However, it is not yet made available in the Odisha market, he said.
"If any licensed liquor manufacturer or vendor wants to produce or sell the liquor on tetra pack, they can do it. The government will not restrict them," he clarified.
The state government is giving priority for proper regulation of manufacturing and selling of liquor in the state, the minister added.
"We just ensure that there is no illegal sale of liquor in the state," he stated.
As per the new Excise Policy, which came into force from April 1, India-made foreign liquor (IMFL) manufacturers can supply their products in tetra packaging and in glass bottles in specified sizes. Only 180 ml can be supplied in tetra packs.
The tetra packs must have six protective layers and must have the shelf life or the date fit for consumption clearly mentioned on the packaging, the policy guidelines said.
Before using the tetra packs for packaging of liquor, the manufacturing units must take certification from the Central Food Technology Research Institute or Indian Institute of Packaging, or any such institute as notified by the excise commissioner, it said.
Earlier, opposition leaders had demanded the rollback of the government's decision to introduce the sale of liquor in tetra packs, calling the move "unethical" and "anti-youth".
