Supreme Court Mandates Government to File Ahmedabad Plane Crash Probe Status Report Within Three Weeks
The Supreme Court of India has issued a directive to the government, requiring the submission of a progress report on the ongoing investigation into the tragic Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad. The court has set a strict deadline of three weeks for the government to file this report, which pertains to the "fact-finding inquiry" being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Details of the Court Hearing and the Ahmedabad Crash
The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, heard the case on Wednesday. The crash, which occurred on June 12, 2025, resulted in the loss of 260 lives, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history. During the proceedings, the court emphasized the urgency of the matter while cautioning against premature judgments on aircraft safety.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, informed the court that the probe is "at its fag end." He explained that the investigation involves international protocols, as it requires coordination with foreign countries and includes representatives from nationalities of the deceased passengers. Mehta requested an additional three weeks to complete the inquiry, citing the complexity of the global investigation mechanism.
Safety Concerns and Legal Arguments Raised During the Hearing
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for a petitioner, raised alarming concerns about the safety of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. He stated that after the Ahmedabad crash, three other Air India aircraft of the same model experienced similar problems. Bhushan also highlighted a conflict of interest in the AAIB probe, noting that three of its members are officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), whose regulatory actions are under scrutiny.
Furthermore, Bhushan pointed out that the government has yet to file a counter-affidavit in the case, despite a notice being issued in September of the previous year. He referenced the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, which mandate a court of inquiry for serious accidents involving loss of lives, and claimed that the entire pilots association, comprising 8,000 pilots, has jointly declared the Boeing 787s unsafe and called for their grounding.
Judicial Caution and Broader Implications of the Case
In response, Chief Justice Surya Kant urged caution, advising against making hasty observations against any particular aircraft brand. He recalled that the Dreamliner was once considered one of the safest aircraft globally. The CJI expressed deep sympathy for the victims' families, particularly noting the grief of a 91-year-old father who lost his pilot son in the crash.
The court also addressed concerns about potential leaks of the investigation report. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the pilot's father and the Federation of Pilots, requested that the report be submitted in a sealed cover to prevent unauthorized disclosure. He cited past incidents involving Boeing 737 crashes where blame was initially placed on pilots, but faults were later found in the aircraft, leading to multi-billion dollar settlements.
Mehta countered the safety allegations by stating that the government has consulted with aviation ministry experts and is conducting a detailed investigation to avoid unjustly blaming any party. The CJI underscored the gravity of the tragedy, losing 260 lives in seconds, but warned that grounding the Dreamliner fleet could disrupt airline services across many countries. The court ultimately directed the government to complete the inquiry and file the report within the stipulated three-week period.
