BARAMATI: Investigators probing the plane crash that killed Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others have recovered the aircraft’s black box, comprising the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), from the crash site. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) confirmed the recovery of the flight recorders, which are expected to provide crucial clues about the moments leading up to the accident. Earlier in the day, teams from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) along with forensic experts reached the crash site to begin technical examinations. Data from the black box will be analysed to determine the exact cause of the crash. Meanwhile, Pune rural police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) at Baramati Taluka Police Station and initiated further investigation into the incident. “An ADR has been registered at Baramati Taluka Police Station in connection with the air crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar lost his life. Further investigation has been initiated,” a Pune police official said. Funeral preparations are underway at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati for the Nationalist Congress Party leader, who died in the crash on January 28. Supporters gathered outside Ahilyabai Holkar Government Medical College as Pawar’s mortal remains were brought out, paying their final respects. The funeral procession of Maharashtra’s longest-serving deputy chief minister (non-consecutively) began from the Vidya Pratishthan campus (Gadima) at 9 am, pass through the city to allow the public to pay homage, and conclude at the Vidya Pratishthan ground, where the last rites will be held at 11 am. Pawar’s mortal remains will be carried in a decorated rath during the Antim Yatra. The chariot has been adorned with flowers and displays his image along with a board reading “Swargiya Ajitdada Pawar amar rahein”. Ajit ‘Dada’ Pawar died on Wednesday when the aircraft he was travelling in crashed at Baramati airport while he was on his way to attend a public rally for the Zilla Parishad elections.
