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‘Unfortunate, Irresponsible’: SC On Pilot’s ‘Fuel Shut-Off’ Remark In Air India Crash Report

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Calling for transparency, Prashant Bhushan said independent experts should be allowed to examine the flight data recorder to ascertain what actually happened.

The Air India crash on June 12 was the first fatal disaster involving a Boeing 787, killing a total of 260 people. (Image: PTI/File)

The Air India crash on June 12 was the first fatal disaster involving a Boeing 787, killing a total of 260 people. (Image: PTI/File)

The Supreme Court on Monday took strong exception to reports suggesting that pilots deliberately shut off fuel supply in connection with the Air India crash. During the hearing, Justice Surya Kant described such claims as “very unfortunate and irresponsible.”

The remark came after senior advocate Prashant Bhushan pointed out that a Wall Street Journal article, published before the official report was submitted to the government, had cited sources claiming that the pilots were being blamed. Bhushan argued that the narrative of pilot error, including allegations of deliberately shutting off fuel supply, had spread even though the pilots were highly experienced.

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Calling for transparency, Bhushan said independent experts should be allowed to examine the flight data recorder to ascertain what actually happened. Justice Kant, however, emphasised the need for confidentiality in such sensitive matters, stating, “Let’s see. But confidentiality is most important in these kinds of cases.”

The bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice NK Singh was hearing a PIL that seeks a court-monitored independent probe into the June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives, including 19 people on the ground.

About the Author

Ananya Bhatnagar
Ananya Bhatnagar

Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De…Read More

Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De… Read More

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