Overview
- A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi orally said the pilots cannot be blamed and assured the pilot’s father the court can record that position.
- Notices were issued to the Centre, DGCA and AAIB on the petition, with responses sought before the next hearing on November 10.
- The plea by 91‑year‑old Pushkar Raj Sabharwal and the Federation of Indian Pilots seeks a retired‑judge‑led, independent technical inquiry, alleging the current probe lacks independence and rigor.
- The bench dismissed foreign media suggestions of pilot error, calling such reporting “nasty” and saying it would not guide the court.
- AAIB’s preliminary report noted both engine fuel‑control switches moved to CUTOFF seconds after takeoff and the Ram Air Turbine deployed; the multi‑agency technical investigation, with international participation and Boeing involvement, remains underway.