Indian Political Leaders Killed in Air Crashes: From Sanjay Gandhi to Ajit Pawar

• Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar died in a Learjet crash at Baramati airport on January 28, 2026, killing all five on board.
• Sanjay Gandhi, son of PM Indira Gandhi, died on June 23, 1980, when his small aircraft crashed near Safdarjung Airport, Delhi.
• Union Minister Madhavrao Scindia died on September 30, 2001, in a chartered aircraft crash near Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh.
• Lok Sabha Speaker GMC Balayogi died on March 3, 2002, in a helicopter crash in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.
• Andhra Pradesh CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy died on September 2, 2009, when his helicopter crashed in the Nallamala Forest.

Why It Matters: Several prominent Indian political leaders have tragically died in air crashes over the decades.