'Wait for report': SC on Air India crash after father of pilot seeks 'fair, transparent' probe

While hearing the petition, the top court noted that the simulator tests had been conducted to identify the cause of the plane crash.

Published on: Jul 28, 2026, 18:38:30 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The draft final report into the June 2025 Air India crash is expected to be ready by October, the Centre told the Supreme Court today. This update from the government comes after Captain Sumeet Sabharwal's father filed a petition seeking a ‘fair and transparent’ probe into the crash.

Tail of Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that crashed is seen stuck on a building after the incident in Ahmedabad. (REUTERS)

In his petition before the Supreme Court, Pushkaraj Sabharwal, the father of the deceased pilot and the Federation of Indian Pilots, called for an independent probe into the AI-171 crash.

While hearing the petition, the top court noted that the simulator tests had been conducted to identify the cause of the plane crash.

"Plea seeks respondent be directed to conduct simulator tests to identify the cause of Air crash. There is further prayer that results of such test shall be placed before the investigating the committee. It has been stated here that simulator tests have been conducted and the issue in IA has been responded to," the order issued by a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana read, as per Bar and Bench,

The court then stated that it would like to wait for the AAIB report and will hear the petition in the final week of October.

Earlier this month, HT reported that the Centre issued an affidavit stating that the "draft final report" will be ready by October.

"In all probability, the investigation activities, subject to the resolution of the pending external dependencies set out therein, are anticipated to be completed within approximately 6 weeks,” the affidavit said, adding that the draft final report “is expected to be ready approximately in October 2026” after the analysis phase.

Air India crash

The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed on June 12, 2025, less than a minute after taking off from Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

The plane crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel complex. A total of 241 people of the 242 on board were killed due to the crash, and 19 others were killed on the ground.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.