The sudden death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a devastating plane crash has triggered a wave of political reactions across India, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee calling for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation, citing serious concerns over the circumstances of the accident and hinting at possible foul play.

On the morning of January 28, a chartered aircraft carrying Ajit Pawar and several others crashed while attempting to land at Baramati Airport in Pune district. All passengers aboard, including Pawar, lost their lives in the accident. Initial reports suggest the jet encountered difficulties during landing, but details are still emerging.

Mamata Banerjee’s Response

Expressing profound shock and sorrow over Pawar’s death, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the incident raised “serious questions” that demanded a transparent and credible investigation. Banerjee asserted that only a probe monitored by the Supreme Court could be trusted to uncover the truth, stating that existing investigative agencies have “lost their independence,” and that public confidence in them is low.

Banerjee also pointed to speculation on social media that Pawar may have been considering a political departure from the ruling coalition, suggesting the circumstances of the crash could not be dismissed easily and required high-level judicial scrutiny.