Family performs last rites of Pinky Mali, victim of Ajit Pawar plane crash

Pinky Mali’s last rites are performed today, as relatives, neighbours, and community members come together to mourn her loss and honour her memory

Pinky Mali, a 29-year-old cabin crew member, lost her life in the aircraft accident involving Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar near Baramati on Wednesday

Relatives and neighbours gathered outside the family’s 18th-floor flat in a Century Mill MHADA building in Worli, as news emerged that Pinky was on board the ill-fated aircraft

Inside the residence, Pinky’s mother and elder sister were inconsolable as the family awaited official information about the cause of the crash

Pinky’s father, Shiv Kumar Mali, said he last spoke to her on Tuesday evening, when she told him she would travel to Baramati with Ajit Pawar and later proceed to Nanded

The family learned about the tragedy after television news reported Ajit Pawar’s aircraft crash, and Pinky’s name appeared in the breaking news alerts

Married and based in Pune, Pinky lived with her husband, who works as a manager in a private firm. Her family said they are awaiting findings from the aircraft’s black box investigation

Pinky had earlier worked with a domestic airline for three years before joining a private carrier, fulfilling a long-held dream encouraged by her father

Her younger brother Karan Mali (23) said she had informed him only about her Baramati–Nanded travel plans, while cousin Atul Mali (24) recalled her as a pillar of support for the family

Neighbours continued to arrive at the residence through the day to offer their condolences as the family awaited further information from the authorities