AviationSafety – Supreme Court Seeks Update on Air India Crash Probe

AviationSafety – The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed authorities to submit a detailed status report on the ongoing probe into the Air India Ahmedabad crash of June 12, 2025, a tragedy that claimed 260 lives.

The Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, asked the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau to outline the procedural steps taken so far and provide a comprehensive account of its findings within three weeks. The direction came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, informed the court that the investigation was nearing completion but required additional time to finalize documentation.

Court Seeks Transparency in Investigation Process

Recording the Centre’s submissions, the court noted that the inquiry was being conducted in line with international aviation norms. Mehta assured the Bench that all material gathered so far, along with details of the investigative protocol followed, would be placed on record.

According to the government, the probe is focused on determining the cause of the crash and is being carried out as a fact-finding exercise. The court directed that both the progress report and documentation of the procedural framework be submitted within the stipulated three-week period. The matter will be taken up again after the reports are filed.

Warning Against Premature Conclusions

During the hearing, the judges cautioned against drawing early conclusions about the possible cause of the crash. They observed that aviation accidents involve complex technical assessments and should not be reduced to simplistic explanations.

The Bench made it clear that sweeping statements about the safety of a particular aircraft model would be inappropriate without conclusive findings. It underlined that such matters require careful technical scrutiny rather than public speculation.

Concerns Over Aircraft Grounding

The court also examined the broader implications of grounding aircraft models linked to the incident. Referring to the Dreamliner, the judges asked how many airlines worldwide operate the model and whether suspending its operations could disrupt entire carriers.

While no immediate decision on grounding was discussed, the remarks signaled the court’s awareness of the potential operational and economic consequences of such measures.

Petition Seeks Court-Monitored Inquiry

The proceedings stem from a petition filed by Safety Matters Foundation, which has sought a court-supervised investigation into the crash. Representing the petitioners, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued that the relevant accident investigation manual provides for a higher-level inquiry in cases involving significant loss of life.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan further submitted that international aviation codes, which India has committed to follow, contemplate an elevated inquiry mechanism for major accidents. He also raised concerns regarding the composition of the investigative team, pointing out that several members are affiliated with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, an authority whose oversight mechanisms have been questioned.

Government Emphasises International Norms

Responding to these submissions, Mehta maintained that the probe is being conducted strictly in accordance with India’s international obligations. He stressed that the primary objective at this stage is to establish the technical cause of the crash rather than assign blame.

Describing the investigation as international in character, he said it follows globally accepted standards for aviation accident inquiries.

Court Recognises Families’ Concerns

Acknowledging the distress faced by families of the passengers and crew, the Bench expressed empathy while reiterating the need for patience until the inquiry concludes. The judges stated that the court, too, awaits the outcome of the investigation.

At the same time, they made it clear that the judicial process should not devolve into a contest of allegations among different stakeholders. The court emphasised that its role at this stage is limited to ensuring procedural integrity and transparency.

With the next hearing scheduled after three weeks, the focus now shifts to the forthcoming report, which is expected to shed light on the sequence of events leading to one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent years.