New Delhi, Jan. 29 -- Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu has replied to a letter from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with regard to the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on Wednesday.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated an investigation, and the aircraft's black box has been taken into custody, Naidu said in the letter.

"As per the Aircraft Accident and Incident Rules, the investigation has begun and will be conducted in a transparent and time-bound manner," the Union Minister said.

Fadnavis had written in the letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, mentioning that "a very senior leader like Ajit Pawar lost his life in the ...