After Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s sudden death in a plane crash, political activity has intensified around the future of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Senior NCP leaders met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to stake claim over Pawar’s portfolios and ensure the party retains key ministries in the state government. Close aides say Ajit Pawar had been quietly working on a plan to merge the two rival NCP factions—his and the one led by Sharad Pawar—after upcoming local elections, calling reunion his last wish. This talk of unification has gained momentum following meetings with Pawar’s family and party leaders, even as there’s active push to position his wife, Sunetra Pawar, in leadership roles amid the ongoing transition. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday claimed that Assam’s population pattern changed during 20 years of Congress rule. He said seven districts are now “dominated by 64 lakh infiltrators.” Addressing a rally in Dhemaji, Shah said only the Bharatiya Janata Party can stop infiltration. “If you want to stop infiltrators, vote for the BJP again,” he told the crowd. Shah said the BJP government has removed illegal encroachments from over 1.26 lakh acres of land. He also praised the Mising community for resisting illegal settlement. Assam is set to vote in Assembly elections later this year.

A probe has been ordered into the plane crash that killed Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others. The Maharashtra government has asked the Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the crash in Baramati. The aircraft went down while landing. A new CCTV video has surfaced, showing the jet turning sideways before impact. Experts have suggested three possible causes. These include engine failure, an aerodynamic stall, or a sharp turn close to the ground. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the black box has been recovered. Officials said the final cause will be known only after a full investigation. (PC: Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo/ ANI)

The brother of Delhi SWAT commando Kajal Chaudhary has described the last phone call he had with her before her death. Nikhil, a Delhi Police constable, said Kajal’s husband, Ankur Chaudhary, first called him and asked him to “make his sister understand.” Nikhil then called Kajal. During the call, Ankur allegedly took the phone and said, “Put the call on recording. I am killing your sister.” Nikhil said he heard Kajal screaming before the call ended. Minutes later, Ankur called again and said she was dead. Kajal was four months pregnant. Ankur was arrested and booked for murder by Delhi Police. (PC: News18)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Mi-17V5 helicopters to fight intense forest fires in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit Valley, dropping over 12,000 litres of water at around 9,500 feet altitude in challenging Himalayan terrain to contain raging flames that threatened forests and nearby areas. High-altitude conditions made aerial firefighting difficult, showcasing the IAF’s precision and commitment to protecting fragile ecosystems. Ground teams and local agencies were also engaged in firefighting efforts. The operation reflects coordinated efforts to manage seasonal forest fires in remote regions of India. (PC: ANI)

New CCTV footage of the Baramati Learjet crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar shows the aircraft’s left wing dropping suddenly moments before impact, prompting three main theories on the cause. Experts suggest an aerodynamic stall during low-speed approach, an engine failure causing asymmetrical thrust, or a late visual of the runway leading to a sharp bank too close to the ground. The Learjet 45 had earlier attempted a go-around before crashing about 200 m from the tabletop runway. Definitive causes await black box analysis. 

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died when the chartered Learjet 45 he was aboard crashed near Baramati during its second landing attempt amid poor visibility, killing all five people onboard. The victims included Pawar, two pilots — Captain Sumit Kapoor and Shambhavi Pathak — a flight attendant and Pawar’s security guard. Friends say Captain Kapoor had filled in at short notice, as another pilot was delayed by traffic. Preliminary probes suggest possible pilot misjudgement and challenging weather conditions, with technical issues also under investigation. The tragedy shocks Maharashtra’s political landscape ahead of local elections and prompts detailed aviation inquiries. (PC: NDTV)

The Economic Survey argues that while climate change matters, cutting carbon emissions should not overshadow India’s broader development goals. It highlights that India’s per-capita emissions remain low and stresses prioritising economic growth, energy access, and human welfare, especially for vulnerable populations. The report suggests a balanced approach where adaptation and resilience-building are central to climate strategy, given development needs and capacity constraints. It also cautions against over-emphasising emission reductions without adequate global financial and technological support, and calls for climate action tailored to India’s national context rather than external pressure. (PC: The Hindu)

A 27-year-old Delhi Police constable and SWAT commando, Kajal, died on January 27 in a Ghaziabad hospital days after a brutal domestic assault by her husband, Ankur Chaudhary. On January 22, after a dispute at their Dwarka Mor home, Ankur allegedly struck her head repeatedly with a metal dumbbell and smashed it against a door frame. During the attack, he called Kajal’s brother, forcing him to listen to her screams and telling him to record the call and that he was going to kill her. Kajal was declared brain dead and later succumbed to her injuries; Ankur was arrested and charged with murder. (PC: HT)

Captain Sumit Kapoor, among five victims in the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, wasn't originally scheduled to fly that day. Friends revealed he filled in for another pilot stuck in traffic, receiving orders just hours before the tragic incident. The experienced pilot had recently returned from Hong Kong. The Learjet 45, operated by VSR Ventures, crashed around 8:45 AM during a second landing approach at Baramati Airport amid poor visibility. Preliminary investigations suggest possible pilot misjudgment, though friends dismiss this, citing his extensive experience. All aboard including co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, flight attendant Pinky Mali, and security guard Vidip Jadhav perished. (PC: NDTV)