Overview
- Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi told the pilot’s 91-year-old father that no blame attaches to his son and that the preliminary AAIB report contains no insinuation against the cockpit crew.
- The court took up a plea by Pushkar Raj Sabharwal and the Federation of Indian Pilots seeking a court‑monitored inquiry led by a retired Supreme Court judge and the closure of the ongoing AAIB probe with transfer of all records to a new panel.
- Notices were issued to the Union government, the aviation regulator (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to file responses before the next hearing on November 10.
- The bench criticized foreign media coverage that suggested pilot error, calling it “nasty reporting,” and said any grievance over such articles should be pursued in the appropriate foreign forum.
- AAIB’s July 12 preliminary findings noted both engine fuel control switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF seconds after takeoff and captured a cockpit exchange denying deliberate action, as the official investigation continues with international participation.