Air India Crash: Pilot’s Father Moves Supreme Court for Judicial Inquiry into AI171 Tragedy

In a powerful plea for justice, Pushkaraj Sabharwal, father of late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, has approached the Supreme Court of India demanding a judicially monitored inquiry into the Air India flight AI171 crash, which claimed the lives of 260 people, including 241 passengers and 19 crew members.

The writ petition, jointly filed by Pushkaraj Sabharwal and the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on October 10, calls for the creation of a Court Monitored Committee led by a retired Supreme Court judge with independent aviation and technical experts as members. The petition challenges the credibility of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), asserting that the ongoing probe lacks transparency and independence.

The petition further demands that all previous AAIB investigations — including the preliminary report dated July 12, 2025 — be treated as closed, and that all evidence and data be handed over to a judicially monitored body.

“We are gravely aggrieved by the lack of credibility and transparency in the ongoing investigation,” the petition states, accusing the AAIB of fostering a “narrative of pilot culpability” while ignoring potential design-level faults in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Allegations of Bias and Misrepresentation

The petition contends that by attributing blame to the pilots, the AAIB has “compromised the independence, objectivity, and integrity of the investigation”, which could lead to international liability under ICAO Annex 13. It calls for accountability in light of alleged procedural lapses and selective information leaks, including details from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR).

Pushkaraj Sabharwal, now 91, earlier wrote to the Civil Aviation Secretary and Director General of AAIB, urging a formal investigation under Rule 12 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017 — a provision empowering the central government to launch a formal inquiry in significant air accidents.

Father Refutes Mental Health Claims Against Pilot

In his letter dated August 29, 2025, Pushkaraj expressed anguish over media leaks suggesting his son was under psychological pressure or suicidal, terming them defamatory.

“These innuendos have tarnished Captain Sabharwal’s reputation and adversely affected my health and peace of mind,” he wrote.

He also dismissed speculations linking the tragedy to his son’s personal life, clarifying that Captain Sabharwal had been divorced for 15 years and had operated over 100 flights without incident after his mother’s passing three years ago.

Highlighting his son’s distinguished record, he stated that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal had 25 years of experience, with 15,638 flying hours, including 8,596 hours on Boeing 787-8s, and was a Line Training Captain licensed by the DGCA.

AAIB Report and Controversy

The AAIB preliminary report suggested that fuel supply to both engines was cut off within one second of each other, leading to cockpit confusion seconds after takeoff. It quoted one pilot asking, “Why did you cut off?” and the other responding, “I did not do so.”

However, the AAIB cautioned that it was too early to draw conclusions, insisting that the final report would establish the root cause after a comprehensive technical examination.

Despite this, speculation and selective media leaks have fueled criticism of the AAIB’s handling of the case. The petition now seeks to ensure accountability, transparency, and justice for all 260 victims of the June 12 Air India Dreamliner crash at Ahmedabad — one of the worst air disasters in India’s aviation history.

The Supreme Court is expected to list the matter for hearing in the coming weeks.