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India has witnessed several tragic aviation accidents that claimed the lives of prominent political leaders.
These incidents shook the nation and often had significant political and emotional repercussions. Here’s a detailed look at 10 Indian politicians who died in air crashes.
Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and a senior Nationalist Congress Party leader, Ajit Pawar died when his chartered plane crashed near Baramati on January 28, 2026.
Pawar, a key figure in Maharashtra politics, was known for his influence over the state’s cooperative sectors. The crash not only created a leadership vacuum in the NCP but also sparked debates over the safety protocols for private aircraft carrying high-profile officials.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani tragically died in June 2025 when Air India Flight AI‑171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport.
Rupani, who led Gujarat during significant infrastructure and economic development phases, was widely respected for his administrative work.
India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, along with his wife and 11 other personnel, died in an Mi‑17V5 helicopter crash near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, on December 8, 2021.
The crash occurred in adverse weather while traveling to an army event. Rawat had been a pivotal figure in modernizing India’s armed forces, and his sudden death was a severe loss to the military and national leadership.
Dorjee Khandu, then Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, died in a helicopter crash near Tawang in April 2011. His body was found after a five-day search operation.
Khandu was a popular leader credited with improving infrastructure and governance in the remote northeastern state.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, often called YSR, died in September 2009 when his Bell 430 helicopter crashed in the dense Nallamala forest while he was touring flood-affected areas.
Reddy was a mass leader known for implementing welfare schemes such as the Aarogyasri health insurance program. His death triggered statewide mourning and a major political shift in Andhra Pradesh.
Haryana’s Power Minister and industrialist Om Prakash Jindal died along with Agriculture Minister Surender Singh in a helicopter crash near Saharanpur in March 2005.
Jindal was the founder of the Jindal Group and a significant political and industrial figure.
The crash highlighted the intersection of business and politics, as leaders often traveled together in private helicopters to manage multiple commitments.
Cyprian Sangma was the Meghalaya Rural Development Minister who died along with nine others when the Pawan Hans helicopter they were travelling in crashed near Barapani Lake while flying from Guwahati to Shillong on 22 September 2004.
The accident occurred about 20 km from Shillong, likely due to poor weather conditions, and claimed all lives on board, including two MLAs and a former deputy speaker.
G.M.C. Balayogi, the Lok Sabha Speaker and Telugu Desam Party leader, died in a Bell 206 helicopter crash near Kaikalur, Andhra Pradesh, in March 2002.
Balayogi was only 50 at the time and had played a key role in parliamentary proceedings.
His death underscored the vulnerabilities of political leaders traveling extensively by air, especially in rural regions with limited landing infrastructure.
Senior Congress leader and Union Minister Madhavrao Scindia died in a Beechcraft aircraft crash near Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, in September 2001.
Scindia was a charismatic politician with deep roots in Gwalior and a significant role in central government portfolios. His sudden death shocked the political establishment and led to widespread grief in his home state and across India.
Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi, son of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, died in an aircraft accident near Safdarjung Airport in Delhi in June 1980.
A controversial and influential figure, he had a considerable impact on Indian politics during the Emergency era. His death at the age of 33 curtailed his political ambitions and left a lasting legacy in national political narratives.
These incidents shook the nation and often had significant political and emotional repercussions. Here’s a detailed look at 10 Indian politicians who died in air crashes.
1. Ajit Anantrao Pawar (2026)
Ajit Pawar, was known for his strong influence over the state’s cooperative banks, sugar industry, and regional politics. Reuters
Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and a senior Nationalist Congress Party leader, Ajit Pawar died when his chartered plane crashed near Baramati on January 28, 2026.
Pawar, a key figure in Maharashtra politics, was known for his influence over the state’s cooperative sectors. The crash not only created a leadership vacuum in the NCP but also sparked debates over the safety protocols for private aircraft carrying high-profile officials.
2. Vijay Rupani (2025)
Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, was known for his administrative acumen, focus on infrastructure and development projects. Reuters
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani tragically died in June 2025 when Air India Flight AI‑171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport.
Rupani, who led Gujarat during significant infrastructure and economic development phases, was widely respected for his administrative work.
3. General Bipin Rawat (2021)
India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, along with his wife and 11 other personnel, died in an Mi‑17V5 helicopter crash near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, on December 8, 2021.
The crash occurred in adverse weather while traveling to an army event. Rawat had been a pivotal figure in modernizing India’s armed forces, and his sudden death was a severe loss to the military and national leadership.
4. Dorjee Khandu (2011)
Supporters follow the body of Dorjee Khandu, chief minister of India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, during a procession at Itanagar May 5, 2011. Reuters
Dorjee Khandu, then Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, died in a helicopter crash near Tawang in April 2011. His body was found after a five-day search operation.
Khandu was a popular leader credited with improving infrastructure and governance in the remote northeastern state.
5. YS Rajasekhara Reddy (2009)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, often called YSR, died in September 2009 when his Bell 430 helicopter crashed in the dense Nallamala forest while he was touring flood-affected areas.
Reddy was a mass leader known for implementing welfare schemes such as the Aarogyasri health insurance program. His death triggered statewide mourning and a major political shift in Andhra Pradesh.
6. Om Prakash Jindal and Surender Singh (2005)
Haryana’s Power Minister and industrialist Om Prakash Jindal died along with Agriculture Minister Surender Singh in a helicopter crash near Saharanpur in March 2005.
Jindal was the founder of the Jindal Group and a significant political and industrial figure.
The crash highlighted the intersection of business and politics, as leaders often traveled together in private helicopters to manage multiple commitments.
7. Cyprian Sangma (2004)
Cyprian Sangma was the Meghalaya Rural Development Minister who died along with nine others when the Pawan Hans helicopter they were travelling in crashed near Barapani Lake while flying from Guwahati to Shillong on 22 September 2004.
The accident occurred about 20 km from Shillong, likely due to poor weather conditions, and claimed all lives on board, including two MLAs and a former deputy speaker.
8. G.M.C Balayogi (2002)
G.M.C. Balayogi, the Lok Sabha Speaker and Telugu Desam Party leader, died in a Bell 206 helicopter crash near Kaikalur, Andhra Pradesh, in March 2002.
Balayogi was only 50 at the time and had played a key role in parliamentary proceedings.
His death underscored the vulnerabilities of political leaders traveling extensively by air, especially in rural regions with limited landing infrastructure.
9. Madhavrao Scindia (2001)
Senior Congress leader and Union Minister Madhavrao Scindia died in a Beechcraft aircraft crash near Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, in September 2001.
Scindia was a charismatic politician with deep roots in Gwalior and a significant role in central government portfolios. His sudden death shocked the political establishment and led to widespread grief in his home state and across India.
10. Sanjay Gandhi (1980)
Sanjay Gandhi, son of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was known for his controversial yet influential role during the Emergency (1975–77). Reuters
Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi, son of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, died in an aircraft accident near Safdarjung Airport in Delhi in June 1980.
A controversial and influential figure, he had a considerable impact on Indian politics during the Emergency era. His death at the age of 33 curtailed his political ambitions and left a lasting legacy in national political narratives.
