Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash near Baramati on Tuesday, had declared personal assets worth over Rs 45 crore, according to his most recent election affidavit filed in 2024.
The fatal crash, involving a Learjet 45 aircraft, occurred during landing at Baramati airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all five people on board, including Ajit Pawar, were killed in the accident.
Ajit Pawar’s declared net worth
As per official election records from the Maharashtra Assembly elections:
- Declared personal assets: approximately Rs 45 crore
- Profession listed: Business and agriculture
- Constituency: Baramati (Pune)
These figures remain the latest officially declared assets, as no updated affidavit had been filed after the 2024 elections.
Wife Sunetra Pawar’s assets
Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, declared her assets separately, as required under election laws:
- Movable assets: Rs 14.57 crore
- Immovable assets: Rs 58.39 crore
(Note: Spousal assets are declared independently, though media reports often discuss family wealth in aggregate.)
Family wealth estimates
While official affidavits list Ajit Pawar’s personal assets at around Rs 45 crore, some media estimates in 2024 placed the Pawar family’s overall wealth between Rs 100 crore and Rs 124 crore or higher. These broader estimates may include:
- Agricultural land holdings
- Business interests
- Sugar cooperative assets
- Long-term investments
However, such figures do not replace affidavit-based declarations, which remain the only legally verified source.
Past investigations
Ajit Pawar had previously faced income tax and enforcement agency scrutiny related to alleged benami properties and cooperative sugar mills. Several claims were later dismissed or closed due to lack of evidence, according to available records. No fresh adverse findings were reported in recent years.
Political legacy and family ties
Ajit Pawar was the nephew of Sharad Pawar, founder of the Nationalist Congress Party. Despite a major political split in 2023 that placed them in rival camps, both leaders publicly acknowledged that family ties remained intact.
Tragic end
Ajit Pawar was on official travel when the aircraft took off from Mumbai at 8:10 am and crashed near Baramati shortly before 9 am. Aviation authorities confirmed no survivors.
His death brings a sudden end to the career of one of Maharashtra’s most influential political figures, whose financial declarations, political influence, and role in state governance had remained under close public scrutiny.
