The father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot-in-command of the ill-fated Air India Flight AI171, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court demanding a fair and transparent probe into the tragic crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives earlier this year.
In his plea, the grieving father urged the court to appoint a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge to oversee the investigation, ensuring that the inquiry remains “technically sound and impartial.”
Background: The June 12 Tragedy
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (AI171) crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025, making it one of India’s worst aviation disasters in recent years.
The aircraft went down minutes after takeoff, reportedly following multiple system alerts, killing all passengers and crew members onboard.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had issued a preliminary report on July 12 that suggested possible pilot error among other contributing factors. However, the report drew sharp criticism from experts and families of victims for being “inconclusive” and “unscientific.”
Supreme Court’s Intervention
In September 2025, a Supreme Court bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh expressed serious concerns over the AAIB’s preliminary findings. The bench observed that parts of the report appeared “irresponsible” and lacked the depth expected from a national investigation agency.
The court subsequently issued notices to the Union Government, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the AAIB, seeking responses to a plea for an independent, time-bound inquiry into the crash.
Current Petition
In the fresh plea, Capt. Sabharwal’s father has reiterated the need for a judge-monitored probe, highlighting concerns that conflicts of interest may compromise the fairness of the investigation if conducted solely by government agencies.
He emphasized that the probe should include international aviation experts to ensure technical accuracy and transparency, and that families of victims be kept informed at each stage.
Calls for Accountability
The AI171 crash has reignited debates over India’s aviation safety standards, training protocols, and aircraft maintenance oversight. Aviation experts and pilot associations have demanded greater independence for the AAIB, along with legislative reforms to strengthen accident investigation procedures.
Earlier, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had urged the public and media to “wait for the final report,” assuring that “there is no dirty business” in the ongoing investigation.
What Lies Ahead
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter in the coming weeks. If the court allows the petition, it could set a precedent for judicially monitored probes into major air crashes in India — ensuring greater accountability and transparency in aviation safety oversight.
Originally published on newsworldstime.com.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
