The Supreme Court has backed late Air India pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, stating “nobody can blame the pilot,” while hearing his father’s plea seeking an independent judicial probe into the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash that killed 260 people.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India on Friday heard a petition filed by Pushkaraj Sabharwal, the 91-year-old father of late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, commander of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that tragically crashed in Ahmedabad in June this year, killing 260 people, including 19 on the ground.
A Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice on the plea, which seeks an independent judicial inquiry into the deadly crash. The Bench has listed the matter for further hearing on November 10.
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During the hearing, Justice Kant emphasized that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal cannot be blamed for the tragedy.
“Nobody can blame the pilot for anything,” Justice Kant remarked, offering condolences and reassurance to the grieving father.
Representing the petitioner, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued that the ongoing investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) lacks independence and transparency. He stressed that even after four months, the probe had not progressed to a fair and impartial stage.
“The investigation has to be impartial. They ask irrelevant questions about personal matters instead of focusing on technical causes,”
he told the court.
What Petition Seeks
The petition, filed jointly by Pushkaraj Sabharwal and the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), requests the constitution of a judicially monitored committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge. The committee, the plea suggests, should include independent aviation experts to ensure a fair, transparent, and technically sound investigation into the crash.
The petition challenges the preliminary report submitted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), dated June 15, claiming it is “defective” and “prejudiced.”
According to the plea, the report implausibly attributes the cause to pilot error, overlooking other possible technical and systemic factors, particularly those involving Boeing aircraft systems, that warrant deeper investigation.
When Sankaranarayanan pointed out that The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) had published an article allegedly based on government-provided data that hinted at pilot fault, Justice Bagchi responded that such grievances should be addressed separately.
“Then your case should be against WSJ in an American court, not here,” Justice Bagchi said, reiterating that the Supreme Court’s focus was on the legality of the investigation process under the Aircraft Act.
Justice Kant further consoled the petitioner, stating:
“It was an extremely unfortunate tragedy, but please do not carry the weight of thinking your son is being blamed. None of the people in the country believe it was the pilot’s fault.”
Background
Air India Flight AI171, traveling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed seconds after take-off on June 12, 2025. The crash claimed:
- 12 crew members and 229 passengers
- 19 additional lives on the ground after hitting a medical college hostel
- Only one passenger survived the crash
The tragedy has raised serious questions about aviation safety, regulatory oversight, and transparency in investigations.
The AAIB initiated a preliminary investigation under Rule 9 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, but critics argue the inquiry fails to meet the standards of independence required for such large-scale aviation disasters.
Another related plea filed by Safety Matters Foundation, a non-governmental organization, is also pending before the Supreme Court. That petition similarly questions whether adequate measures are in place to ensure a fair, impartial, and expeditious investigation into the crash.
Case Title:
PUSHKAR RAJ SABHARWAL AND ANR. V UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.
W.P.(C) No. 1031/2025
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