Deceased pilot not at fault, Supreme Court assures father.

The Supreme Court of India has agreed to examine a plea calling for a fresh, independent investigation into the tragic Air India Ahmedabad crash that occurred in June 2025. The plea was filed by Gopal Sankaranarayanan, the 91-year-old father of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was in command of the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

During the hearing on Friday, the apex court issued notices to the Union Government, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and other related authorities. The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, has scheduled the matter for further hearing on November 10.

The heart of the petition lies in the father's demand for a probe led by a retired Supreme Court judge. He argued that the current investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) lacks independence, as it involves members from state aviation bodies whose own roles might need scrutiny.

In a touching moment during the proceedings, the Supreme Court sought to comfort the grieving father regarding his son’s reputation. Justice Surya Kant firmly stated, "It’s extremely unfortunate, this crash, but you should not carry this burden that your son is being blamed. Nobody can blame him for anything."

The Court also dismissed "nasty reporting" by foreign media outlets that suggested pilot error, with Justice Kant remarking that "no one in India believes it was the pilot’s fault." Justice Bagchi further clarified that even the preliminary AAIB report made no insinuations of fault against Captain Sabharwal.

The tragic crash in June claimed 260 lives and stands as one of the most severe aviation disasters in India's recent history. The petitioners hope an independent panel can better examine potential systemic failures or technical issues related to the aircraft's global safety record.