Supreme Court Demands Answers: Allegations of Cover-Up Rock Air India Incident Investigation

India's Supreme Court has delivered a stern message to aviation authorities, taking a serious view of grave allegations that crucial information was deliberately concealed in the investigation report concerning a significant Air India flight incident. This latest development underscores the apex court's unwavering commitment to flight safety and transparency in high-stakes probes.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y.

Chandrachud, alongside Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, has issued notices to the Centre, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and Air India itself, demanding a comprehensive response within two weeks. The court's intervention comes on the heels of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Air India 171 Boeing 787-8 Pilots Association, represented by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan.

The plea shines a spotlight on an incident involving Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating from Ahmedabad to London on October 24, 2017.

According to the petitioners, the official investigation into this specific occurrence mysteriously omitted and 'concealed crucial information,' raising serious questions about the integrity of the safety review process.

This isn't an isolated concern. The petitioners forcefully argued that the DGCA has, at times, demonstrated a "casual and indifferent attitude" towards investigating such incidents.

They drew parallels to the devastating Air India Express crash in Mangaluru in 2010, which tragically claimed 158 lives, alleging that even that pivotal investigation was marred by flaws and a lack of complete transparency.

The core of the PIL asserts that fair, transparent, and comprehensive investigations are not merely procedural formalities but are absolutely vital for enhancing flight safety standards.

Any attempt to obscure or manipulate facts in such reports could have catastrophic implications, potentially leading to a recurrence of avoidable incidents if root causes are not fully identified and addressed.

By stepping in, the Supreme Court is not only seeking accountability for the alleged cover-up in the 2017 Air India incident but also sending a powerful message that the safety of air travel cannot be compromised by bureaucratic oversight or deliberate concealment.

The aviation industry, and indeed the flying public, will be watching closely as the Centre, DGCA, and Air India prepare their responses to the Supreme Court's stringent demands for truth and transparency.