SC refuses to hear PIL seeking safety audit after Air India crash, questions selective targeting of airline post-tragedy.
SC Dismisses PIL for Exclusive Safety Audit of Air India
The Supreme Court of India on Friday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought a court-monitored safety audit of Air India following the tragic June 12 crash of a London-bound flight.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi questioned the intent of the petitioner and asked:
“Why are you targeting Air India only? If your concern is aviation safety, why not include all airlines?”
Petitioner Asked to Withdraw, Told to Approach Appropriate Forum
The PIL was filed by Narendera Kumar Goswami, a lawyer and self-proclaimed victim of a prior Air India incident. The bench urged him to withdraw the petition and approach a competent authority instead.
Justice Kant emphasized:
“We also travel every week and know the situation. A tragedy happened—it’s not the time to run down an airline.”
About the Crash: Air India AI-171 Tragedy
- The accident occurred on June 12, 2025
- Flight AI-171, a Boeing Dreamliner 787-8, was headed to London
- It crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
- There were 242 passengers and crew onboard
What the PIL Demanded
- Safety audit of Air India’s fleet by an ICAO-accredited agency
- Creation of a committee led by a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate safety procedures
- A centralized, public reporting system for aviation incidents
- Compensation for victims’ families as per the Montreal Convention, 1999
- Ex-gratia payments for passengers of AI-143, a separate safety-related incident
Court’s Stand: Why Only Air India?
The Supreme Court made it clear the petition lacked balance:
- No other airlines were named in the PIL
- The request seemed selectively targeted
- The court stressed the need for a broader, regulatory discussion, not airline-specific scrutiny
While the tragic Air India crash on June 12 raises serious concerns about aviation safety, the Supreme Court declined to single out one airline, emphasizing fairness and regulatory due process. The petitioner has been directed to explore alternative legal avenues to pursue any genuine grievances.
Also Read : No Mechanical Fault in Boeing 787 Fuel System, Says US FAA on Air India Crash: Probe Continues
