The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a report of the fact-finding inquiry into the June 12, 2025, Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is conducting the inquiry into the AI-171 crash that killed 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew. Only one passenger survived the crash, while 19 people on the ground were also killed.
The court has set a time frame of three weeks, after the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, informed the apex court that the fact-finding inquiry is currently underway in accordance with international commitments and is most likely to be completed in the next three weeks.
A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant further asked for a report on the procedural protocol followed by the AAIB so far, as per the international mandate, along with a progress report on the next date of hearing.
Air India crash: Pilot’s father moves SC for judicial probe; terms present investigations flawed
“The Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, submits that a fact-finding inquiry in accordance with international commitments is underway and most likely would be completed within three weeks. He assures to produce a report in a sealed cover before this court, along with an affidavit of the procedural protocol followed so far. Please place on record the progress report (of the investigation) and the compliance report,” the court noted, as per news agency ANI.
The court directions came in response to a petition by NGO Safety Matters Foundation, which had sought a court-monitored probe into the crash.
The PIL had alleged that the AAIB investigation into the Air India plane crash violates citizens’ fundamental rights to life, equality, and access to truthful information.
The Air India AI-17 flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, flying to London’s Gatwick airport, crashed just seconds after take off from the Ahmedabad airport. The flight was operated by pilot-in-command Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Captain Clive Kunder.
Of the 241 who lost their lives, 169 were Indians, 52 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian, and 12 crew members. The lone survivor was Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national.