Mumbai, Aug 11 (TIWN) Maharashtra bid a tearful adieu to Captain Deepak V. Sathe -- the pilot who was killed in the Air India Express plane crash in Kozhikode last Friday -- at his funeral performed with full state honours here on Tuesday afternoon.

In the morning, Sathe’s mortal remains were brought from the Bhabha Hospital, Bandra, by his sons — Shantanu and Dhananjay.

They conducted the last rites at their residence complex, Nahar Amrit Shakti, Chandivali-Powai area, in the presence of representatives of the Maharashtra government, defence forces, police, various political dignitaries and others.

During the ceremony, the coffin was draped in the national Tricolour by the Mumbai Police and the Indian Air Force, but the number of mourners was restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sathe’s family, including his wife Sushma Sathe, sons, and other close relatives paid their last respects, though his grieving Nagpur-based parents – retired Col Vasant Sathe and Neela Sathe – were not present owing to their advanced age and the pandemic.

A Mumbai Police contingent accorded an honour guard and a salute to the departed aviator in the brief but solemn ceremony.