Air India crash: Two doctors approach Supreme Court seeking relief and compensation for victims
Two medical professionals have approached the Supreme Court seeking relief and compensation for victims of Ahmedabad Air India crash which claimed 274 lives.
In a letter petition addressed to Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, the petitioners have called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash and immediate relief for the victims’ families and stated, “These students were training to become doctors who would serve the nation’s health needs. Their loss is not merely personal but a loss to the entire nation.”
The petitioners urged the court to ensure justice and swift relief for the victims’ families. They have sought interim compensation of Rs 50 lakh for each bereaved family, including those of resident doctors who were in the BJ Medical College hostel, which was struck by the aircraft moments after take off.
The plea also calls on the Supreme Court to direct the Centre to announce compensation without delay and to initiate a long-term rehabilitation plan, including offering government jobs to eligible family members of the deceased.
Seeking more structured redress, the petition requested the formation of a high-level expert committee comprising retired Supreme Court or High Court judges, aviation experts, economists, and actuaries. This body would be responsible for evaluating final compensation, guided by legal precedents such as Triveni Kodkany vs Air India Limited.
The petition further urged the court to direct Air India to avoid prolonged litigation and expedite the settlement of claims. It also asked for a comprehensive investigation into the crash to identify lapses and prevent future tragedies.
The tragic crash occurred on June 12, 2025, when Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI-171, departed from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM en route to London Gatwick.
Barely a minute after takeoff, the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control and plummeted into a densely populated area.
The victims included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese passengers, one Canadian national, and ten crew members, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory.
Only one person on board survived the devastating crash. The impact triggered massive fires across multiple buildings, including the hostel and residential quarters of BJ Medical College.
Initial reports confirm that at least three resident doctors and five MBBS students lost their lives in the tragedy, while over 50 others sustained serious, life-threatening injuries.
India