Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Top Amazon Exchange Mela deals: Up to ₹15,000 off on ACs, fridges and home appliancesUpgrade your home for less with Amazon Exchange Mela deals. Enjoy up to ₹15,000 off on ACs
The first Englishman to play in Brazil's top flight, Lingard is enjoying his early days as a Corinthians player and last week scored his first goal in the Copa do Brasil. There was some surprise when the move was announced, with local pundit Mauro Cezar Pereira describing it as a "strange kind of
The Election Commission on Sunday directed the West Bengal Police to conduct a special drive to arrest bomb makers ahead of the second phase of the Assembly elections in the state, The Indian Express reported. Earlier in the day, the police said on social media that it had recovered bombs and
The Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) hall tickets for the Engineering stream of the Telangana Engineering, Agriculture and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test (TG EAPCET) have been released by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTUH) on Monday, 27 April
‘Budget ₹15K, rents start at ₹25K’: Bengaluru woman says house hunting in HSR feels like a ‘full-time job’A Bengaluru woman shared her struggle of finding a ₹15K flat in HSR, saying rents started at ₹25K for 1BHKs. Published on: Apr 27, 2026 1:48 PM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan
Ajit Pawar asses away - A look at Indian politicians who died in plane crashes
Ajit Pawar passes away — from Sanjay Gandhi to YSR, a history of Indian politicians who died in plane crashes
The death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash near Baramati has once again drawn attention to a sombre chapter in India's political history: the loss of senior public figures in air accidents. Over the decades, India has witnessed several such tragedies involving aircraft and helicopters, each prompting investigations, policy reflection and national mourning.
Below is a chronology of prominent Indian politicians and public leaders who lost their lives in air crashes, illustrating both the personal toll and the wider institutional impact of these incidents.
Ajit Pawar (2026)
Ajit Anantrao Pawar, a veteran leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Maharashtra's longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister in non-consecutive terms, died on January 28, 2026, when a chartered Learjet 45 crashed near Baramati in Pune district during a landing attempt.The aircraft, returning from Mumbai, was carrying Pawar, security personnel and crew members. Preliminary statements from the aviation regulator indicated that all on board were killed. Pawar, 66, was widely regarded as an influential architect of Maharashtra's fiscal and administrative policy, and his death left a significant void in state politics.
Vijay Rupani (2025)
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani died on June 12, 2025, in the crash of Air India Flight AI-171 shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad en route to London.The Airbus aircraft was carrying more than 240 passengers. Rupani's remains were identified through DNA matching, and Gujarat observed a day of state mourning. Investigators examined aircraft systems, weather conditions and air traffic communications as part of an ongoing probe.
Dorjee Khandu (2011)
Dorjee Khandu, then Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, died in a helicopter crash on April 30, 2011, while flying through remote mountainous terrain near Tawang.The helicopter lost contact shortly after take-off. After days of search operations involving the armed forces, the wreckage was found in dense forest at high altitude. Investigations cited poor weather and challenging topography.
Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (2009)
Popularly known as YSR, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy was serving as Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh when he died in a Bell 430 helicopter crash on September 2, 2009.The helicopter went missing en route from Hyderabad to Chittoor and was later found in the Nallamala forest. Investigators concluded that severe weather and low visibility led to controlled flight into terrain. His death triggered widespread public grief and major political realignments in the state.
Om Prakash Jindal and Surender Singh (2005)
Haryana Power Minister Om Prakash Jindal and Agriculture Minister Surender Singh died when a King Cobra helicopter crashed near Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on March 3, 2005.The helicopter was flying from Delhi to Chandigarh. Investigators pointed to technical failure and poor visibility as contributing factors.
G. M. C. Balayogi (2002)
G. M. C. Balayogi, then Speaker of the Lok Sabha, died in a Bell 206 helicopter crash in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, on March 3, 2002.Adverse weather conditions were cited as a major cause. Balayogi's death marked a rare constitutional moment, as a sitting Speaker had never before died in office due to an aviation accident.
Madhavrao Scindia (2001)
Senior Congress leader and Union Minister Madhavrao Scindia was killed in a Beechcraft C90 aircraft crash on September 30, 2001, while flying from Delhi to Kanpur.Engine failure, compounded by weather conditions, was cited as the likely cause. His death had long-term ramifications for Congress politics in Madhya Pradesh and at the national level.
Sanjay Gandhi (1980)
One of the earliest and most widely remembered incidents involved Sanjay Gandhi, who died on June 23, 1980, when a light aircraft he was piloting crashed near Safdarjung Airport in New Delhi.The accident was attributed to pilot error and spatial disorientation. Gandhi's death reshaped political equations in the country during a critical period.
General Bipin Rawat (2021)
India's first Chief of Defence Staff, Bipin Rawat, and his wife Madhulika Rawat were killed in a Mi-17V5 helicopter crash near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, on December 8, 2021.The helicopter was flying from Sulur Air Force Base to Wellington when it went down in hilly terrain. A tri-services inquiry later attributed the crash to pilot spatial disorientation caused by sudden weather changes. Thirteen of the fourteen people on board were killed, prompting nationwide mourning and full state honours.
Source: LiveMint
Related Posts: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Dies In Plane Crash In Baramati Maharashtra deputy chief minister dies in plane crash Leaders demand probe into Ajit Pawar’s death in plane crash Last phone call of flight attendant before Ajit Pawar plane crash CBI will investigate plane crash that killed Ajit Pawar Grief and shock after Indian politician Ajit Pawar killed in plane crash Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash — Who were on board the Learjet 45 Ajit Pawar plane crash No idea about Sunetra Pawar being sworn in as Maharashtra deputy CM Sunetra Pawar takes oath as first woman Deputy CM of Maharashtra
A major legal battle begins this week in California. Elon Musk is suing Sam Altman and OpenAI. The case centers on OpenAI's shift from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity. Musk claims this was a betrayal of their original agreement. Prominent tech figures may testify
59 minutes ago
Hollywood actor Emily Blunt admits she was intimidated by Meryl Streep while filming the first “The Devil Wears Prada" film. Blunt, who is returning to reprise her role in the second instalment, spoke about the film and its sequel at the SiriusXM Front Row chat hosted by Andy Cohen
59 minutes ago
Why is it that many people feel perfectly fine and functional at work but get extremely tired once they reach home? This mainly has to do with the way our bodies and brains react to stress. During work hours, especially in highly demanding or responsible roles
59 minutes ago
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Monday (April 27, 2026) conducted searches at multiple locations in Punjab as part of a money laundering probe against former State police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar and entities linked to him, officials said. They said about 11 premises in Chandigarh
59 minutes ago
How did Trump fall while evacuating WHCD shooting scene? POTUS recalls moment, ‘I started walking, and they said…’Donald Trump has explained why he ended up on the floor while being evacuated when a shooting broke out at Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner
59 minutes ago
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov have unveiled a memorial in Pyongyang for North Koreans who have died fighting in the Ukraine war. Military jets flew overhead and white balloons were released into the air as Kim and Belousov unveiled a statue and opened
59 minutes ago
The title card of Nukkad Naatak, the Hindi independent film written and directed by Tanmaya Shekhar, reads, “How to Enter Bollywood presents” — a nod to the film’s social media campaign of 25 short-form videos that helped build early buzz. The campaign emerged when Tanmaya
59 minutes ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated the West Bengal assembly elections are crucial for eastern India's future. He believes a strong Bengal, along with Bihar and Odisha, is essential for India's journey to become a developed nation. Modi emphasized the region's strategic importance for national
59 minutes ago
Mumbai’s intense summer heat is affecting digestion and gut health. With predictions of heatwaves and the summer heat intensifying, experts are witnessing a noticeable increase in stomach-related complaints. They believe they are linked to contaminated food, dehydration
1 hours ago
Bengal polls: TMC, BJP workers clash at Jagatdal; crude bombs hurled, shots firedOfficials said a paramilitary trooper sustained splinter injuries in his leg, and four people have so far been arrested Published on: Apr 27, 2026 1:35 PM IST By HT Correspondent Share via Copy link Crude bombs were
1 hours ago
A severe heatwave across India has prompted several states to alter school timings, announce early summer vacations, and order temporary closures. With temperatures crossing 44°C in many regions, numerous schools are conducting early morning classes to avoid the peak heat hours
1 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Thinking all good monitors are expensive? These 10 best selling monitors from top brands starts at just ₹6899These best selling monitors offer reliable performance across work
1 hours ago
IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders clinched a thrilling Super Over victory against Lucknow Super Giants, thanks to Rinku Singh's explosive late hitting and Sunil Narine's masterful bowling. Experts highlighted Rinku's game-changing 26-run over and Narine's composed Super Over spell. Meanwhile
1 hours ago
Actor Sanjay Dutt announced a sequel to his 1993 classic Khalnayak on Friday (April 25, 2026). Titled Khalnayak Returns, the film is said to be an interpretation of the orignal, which was directed by Subhash Ghai and also starred Jackie Shroff and Madhuri Dixit in key roles
1 hours ago
Iran-US conflict: Iran's foreign minister is heading to St Petersburg for talks with Russian officials. Discussions will cover bilateral relations and regional matters. The Iran-U.S. conflict is a key topic. This visit concludes a regional tour that included Pakistan and Oman
1 hours ago
Ajay Devgn drops glimpse of Golmaal 5 with ‘the boys’ from Ooty schedule, says ‘iss baar sawaari badi hai’Ajay Devgn shared a clip from Golmaal 5’s Ooty shoot, reuniting the gang and bringing back the iconic bike, hinting at a bigger and more entertaining sequel. Apr 27, 2026
1 hours ago
NEET 2026 admit card out on neet.nta.nic.in: Check direct link, steps to download hereNTA is set to host the NEET UG 2026 exam on May 3. Over 26 lakh students are said to appear for the exam, which will be held from 2pm to 5pm. Published on: Apr 27
1 hours ago
Fuel stations across Delhi have begun refusing service to vehicles that do not have a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, as authorities intensify efforts to curb air pollution. Under the new directive, petrol, diesel, CNG, and LPG will be supplied only to vehicles with a valid PUC
1 hours ago
Ranveer Singh says Dhurandhar's Hamza was more challenging than Padmaavat's Khilji: ‘I had to go deep and give it 300%’Ranveer Singh's business partner, Nikunj Biyani recalled their conversation about Dhurandhar, shared how actor found his role more challenging than Khilji. Apr 27, 2026
1 hours ago
In a post on microblogging platform X, founder urged India’s “exported” talent in the US to consider returning to the country. He argued that India’s global standing will depend on its and talent.Vembu highlighted how the respect Indians command worldwide will substantially depend on the
1 hours ago
Kolkata Knight Riders secured a thrilling Super Over victory against Lucknow Super Giants. Sunil Narine's exceptional bowling in the Super Over proved decisive. This win keeps KKR's playoff hopes alive in the IPL 2026 season. Rinku Singh's batting earlier provided a strong foundation for KKR's
1 hours ago
Rajya Sabha chairperson CP Radhakrishnan on Monday accepted the merger of the Aam Aadmi Party’s legislature party in the Upper House of Parliament with that of the Bharatiya Janata Party. This came three days after, on Friday, seven of AAP’s ten MPs in the Rajya Sabha spilt from the party and
1 hours ago
ET AI-Ready is an AI Readiness Certification for universities and colleges that helps institutions assess how prepared they are for an AI-driven future. An initiative by The Economic Times, the framework uses a transparent, star-rated assessment to evaluate curriculum, faculty, infrastructure
1 hours ago
For Gen Z, brands aren’t just about products, they’re about experiences, identity, and cultural relevance. From dining spaces to streetwear drops, collaborations across industries are reshaping how young consumers discover, engage with, and express themselves.For Gen Z
1 hours ago
The Verstappen name has once again been involved in a frightening motorsport incident. Just a week after the tragic death of Juha Miettinen at the Nürburgring, it was Jos Verstappen who found himself in danger, this time in Belgium. The 54-year-old
1 hours ago
For the past few years, lithium-ion batteries have been the backbone of the global renewable energy ecosystem, powering sectors such as electric vehicles and consumer electronics. The focus has remained on improving their efficiency and performance so they last longer and handle heavier demands
1 hours ago
Sexuality education in India is a little hazy. The National Education Policy (NEP) places sex education within the broader category of “ethical and moral reasoning.” This component aims to support “basic health and safety training, as a service to oneself and to those around us
1 hours ago
