Overview

• Issuing notice on a PIL by Safety Matters Foundation, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh asked the Centre, DGCA and AAIB to explain how they will ensure a free, fair, impartial and expeditious probe.
• The bench called the selective publication of preliminary findings that spurred a pilot-error narrative “unfortunate” and “very irresponsible,” and emphasized strict confidentiality until the inquiry concludes.
• Judges declined to order immediate disclosure of flight-recorder materials, saying public release of DFDR, CVR and related data at this stage is not advisable.
• The petition challenges the AAIB preliminary finding that both engine fuel-control switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF, alleging withheld DFDR/CVR/EAFR data and a conflict of interest because DGCA officers serve on the probe team.
• The matter is listed for 11 October, and separately the Federation of Indian Pilots has requested a Rule 12 judicial inquiry and is preparing to approach the Supreme Court.