Supreme Court Agrees to Examine PILs Seeking Independent Probe into Air India Flight Crash
The Supreme Court of India has formally agreed to hear a significant Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the investigation into the tragic Air India plane crash that occurred on June 12 last year. This development marks a crucial step in the ongoing legal battle surrounding one of India's most devastating aviation disasters.
NGO Alleges Violation of Fundamental Rights in Crash Investigation
The PIL has been filed by the non-governmental organization 'Safety Matters Foundation', which contends that the official investigation into the crash of Flight AI171 has been inadequate and violates citizens' fundamental rights. The organization claims that the probe conducted by authorities has not been thorough enough to determine the true causes of the catastrophe that claimed 260 lives.
Representing the NGO before the court, prominent lawyer Prashant Bhushan presented compelling arguments regarding the seriousness of the matter. He informed the court that neither the government nor the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) had responded to their petition, highlighting what he described as institutional indifference toward the victims' families and public safety concerns.
Multiple Petitions Demand Court-Monitored Independent Inquiry
The apex court is currently handling three separate petitions that collectively seek an independent investigation into the crash. These include requests from the Safety Matters Foundation, a law student, and the father of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who piloted the ill-fated aircraft. The pilots' federation has specifically requested a court-monitored inquiry led by a former Supreme Court judge to ensure transparency and thoroughness.
Bhushan emphasized during proceedings that "the entire pilots association are saying there is a problem in the Boeing 787 aircraft which needs to be grounded." This statement underscores broader safety concerns within the aviation community regarding the aircraft model involved in the accident.
Court Criticizes Selective Publication of Preliminary Report
Earlier, on November 13, the court had noted that the AAIB's preliminary report did not blame Captain Sabharwal for the crash. However, the bench strongly criticized the selective publication of this report, calling it "unfortunate and irresponsible" as it created a misleading media narrative suggesting pilot error was primarily responsible for the tragedy.
Bhushan argued that such a major aviation accident requires a more comprehensive court of inquiry rather than just an AAIB investigation. He stressed that only a thorough, independent probe could address the systemic issues that may have contributed to the disaster and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Chief Justice Promises Early Hearing After Current Cases
While the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the pleas, no specific date has been assigned yet. Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud assured Bhushan that "SIR (hearing on pleas related to special intensive revision of electoral rolls pleas) will be over today, and we will give you a short date." The Chief Justice has promised to schedule a hearing soon after completing the current special intensive revision of electoral rolls cases.
Details of the Tragic Flight AI171 Crash
The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Captain Clive Kunder, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad while heading to London's Gatwick airport. Among the 260 victims were 169 Indians, 52 Britons, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 12 crew members. Remarkably, only one person survived the crash - British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, whose miraculous survival has been the subject of much attention.
The Supreme Court's decision to hear these petitions represents a significant development in the quest for accountability and transparency regarding one of India's worst aviation disasters. As the legal proceedings move forward, families of victims and aviation safety advocates await a thorough investigation that addresses all concerns surrounding this tragic event.
