Two doctors have submitted a letter petition to the Supreme Court of India, requesting the Court to take suo motu cognizance of the deadly crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The petition appeals for urgent intervention to ensure fair compensation, rehabilitation, and a comprehensive investigation into the incident that claimed 265 lives.
The petition specifically urges the Court to direct the Central Government to immediately announce and disburse an interim compensation of ₹50 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Among those killed were resident doctors from BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad.
The petitioners have further requested that the Centre constitute a high-powered expert committee to determine final compensation amounts. They proposed that the committee be composed of a retired judge of the Supreme Court or High Court, aviation experts, economists, and insurance specialists. The petition notes that the committee’s decisions should be guided by the principles laid down in Triveni Kodkany v. Air India Limited, a landmark case on aviation-related compensation.
In addition to the compensation demand, the petition seeks directions for Air India Limited to ensure a swift and efficient settlement of all claims, avoiding the need for the affected families to endure prolonged legal battles. It also calls for the Central Government to provide rehabilitation assistance and employment opportunities to the eligible dependents of the deceased.
The petitioners have asked the Supreme Court to ensure a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash and to instruct the relevant authorities to implement corrective and preventive measures to avert such tragedies in the future.
Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed minutes after taking off from runway 23 at Ahmedabad Airport en route to London. The 12-year-old aircraft, which had arrived earlier from Delhi, was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The plane lost altitude rapidly and crashed into a densely populated residential area, creating a massive fireball. The death toll has reached 265, including those on board and several residents of the buildings the aircraft struck.
