The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre and the DGCA to ensure a fair investigation into the Ahmedabad Air India plane crash. The court deemed the allegations against the pilot inconsistent and scheduled the next hearing for the 10th.
New Delhi: Following the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad in June 2025, the Supreme Court has sent notices to the Central Government and the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) on a petition filed by the father of the late pilot, Captain Sumit Sabharwal. The petition demands a fair and transparent investigation into Captain Sabharwal's accident. During the hearing, the Supreme Court stated that under no circumstances can the pilot be held responsible for the accident.
Brief Description of the Accident
Captain Sumit Sabharwal was the commander of Air India's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. A total of 260 people died in this plane crash. The petitioner requested the Supreme Court that the investigation into the accident should be technically sound and impartial, supervised by a retired judge. He stated that four months have passed, and the investigation has not yet been fully independent.
Supreme Court Assures Father
During the hearing, Justice Suryakant explicitly stated, "This accident is extremely unfortunate, but you should not bear the burden that your son is being blamed. No one in India believes this was the pilot's fault." Justice Bagchi also added that the initial report does not contain any accusation or hint against the pilot.
Demand for Fair Investigation
The petitioner's counsel, Senior Advocate Gopal Shankaranarayanan, informed the court that the investigation into this plane crash is not independent. He stated that technical problems are emerging in Boeing aircraft worldwide, and according to Rule 12, the investigation must be completely impartial. The lawyer clarified that this is an "accident," not an "incident."
Supreme Court Dismisses Foreign Reporting
The petitioner's counsel stated that The Wall Street Journal published an article hinting at pilot error. Justice Bagchi said that foreign media reports would not be considered, and if anyone has an objection to it, remedies can be sought in the courts of that country. Justice Suryakant called it poor reporting, stating that no one in India believes that pilot error occurred.
Next Hearing
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for this case on the 10th. The court stated that reports would be sought from all concerned parties, and the fairness of the investigation process would be ensured. The court clarified that the pilot and their family should not face any accusations or social pressure.
No Accusations Against Pilot
During the hearing, the court reiterated that no blame could be attributed to Captain Sumit Sabharwal. Justice Bagchi stated that the initial investigation report and technical analysis show no indication of pilot error. The court also added that a conclusion could only be reached after a full investigation into the causes of the accident.
