The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre over the Air India Flight AI171 crash that killed 260 people, seeking an independent, court-monitored probe into alleged lapses in the ongoing aviation safety investigation.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored investigation into the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash that occurred on June 12, 2025, claiming 260 lives.
The case will be heard by a Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Singh.
Appearing for the petitioners, Advocate Prashant Bhushan argued that under the government’s own aviation safety regulations, a Court of Inquiry must be constituted to probe a “serious accident” such as the AI171 crash, not merely an investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
“A mere AAIB inquiry is not enough. The law mandates a Court of Inquiry to establish accountability and prevent future tragedies,”
Bhushan said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union government, defended the ongoing AAIB-led probe, citing the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) framework that governs such investigations.
“Since foreign nationals were among the victims, representatives from their countries have also been involved,” Mehta told the court, emphasizing that “no blame has yet been attributed to anyone” and that the Ministry of Civil Aviation had already issued a press release to counter misinformation.
The bench observed that the AAIB inquiry is primarily meant to identify causes and recommend preventive measures, not to assign personal or corporate liability.
“The AAIB inquiry is not meant to assign blame — it’s to find the cause and prevent recurrence,”
the Bench noted.
However, Bhushan and Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan urged the court to consider a supplemental inquiry to establish accountability, arguing that the ICAO protocols were “not fully followed.”
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Bhushan also raised broader aviation safety concerns, pointing out that “multiple system failures” have been reported in Boeing 787 aircraft since the crash.
“Pilots’ associations have demanded that these planes be grounded. Everyone flying in them is at risk,”
he argued.
Justice Surya Kant intervened, cautioning against “pre-judging” the issue or turning the case into a “fight between airlines,” while Sankaranarayanan reiterated the request for the Centre to file its detailed response.
The Bench ultimately issued notice on the PIL filed by the father of deceased pilot Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who perished in the crash. The Court has sought a formal response from the Union government to be filed before the next hearing.
“We won’t entertain student petitions — they should focus on their studies,”
Justice Kant remarked, responding to multiple related filings from individuals and student groups.
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:
Safety Matters Foundation v. Union of India & Others
W.P.(C) No. 920/2025
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