Authored by Ms. Sneha Yadav, Legal Associate [Corporate & Commercial Litigation] of the Firm i.e. Mirza & Associates, Advocates & Attorneys
On 12th June 2025, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just seconds after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, at around 1:30 PM. The aircraft collided with the residential quarters of B.J. Medical College, resulting in the tragic death of 271 passengers and crew members, as well as the death or injury of numerous innocent civilians and medical students.
Doctors Urge Supreme Court to Take Suo Motu Cognizance
Two eminent doctors—Dr. Saurav Kumar, a neurosurgeon and alumnus of AIIMS, New Delhi, and Dr. Dhruv Chauhan, a prominent healthcare influencer and National Spokesperson of the Indian Medical Association—have addressed an open letter to the Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Justice B.R. Gavai. In the letter, they urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the Air India Flight AI 171 crash. They emphasized the need for accountability, fair compensation for the victims, a comprehensive investigation, and the implementation of improved safety protocols around civilian infrastructure located near airports.
Legal References Cited in the Open Letter
The doctors referred to the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court in Triveni Kodkany v. Air India, where the Court affirmed the right to compensation in cases of aviation negligence. Citing this precedent, they demanded immediate compensation of ₹50 lakh for the families of each deceased medical student and adequate relief for the injured.
The judgment also held that compensation should be calculated using the current exchange rate when converting foreign earnings, and that future prospects must be considered at 30% (as opposed to the earlier 25%). Furthermore, reference was made to the Montreal Convention, 1999, to which India became a signatory in 2009. Under this convention, Air India is liable to pay compensation amounting to approximately ₹1.47 crore per deceased person, depending on the nationality of the victims. The Convention also mandates liability for third-party damage and loss of life occurring at the crash site.
Why the Supreme Court Must Intervene
Given the magnitude of the tragedy, there is a strong case for the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance. Among the victims were young medical students residing in hostel quarters, who were not passengers but innocent civilians with a legitimate expectation of safety in their residential premises. Their deaths raise significant questions under Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life.
The open letter calls upon the Supreme Court not only to assess the human loss but also to examine systemic failures—including shortcomings in aviation safety, aircraft maintenance, and urban planning near critical infrastructure such as airports.
Citing Triveni Kodkany v. Air India, the doctors reiterated the Court’s duty to ensure fair compensation and justice for victims of airline negligence. They also referenced past judicial interventions, such as during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, where the Supreme Court played a crucial role in upholding public interest and enforcing accountability. Judicial intervention at this stage is necessary not only to safeguard the rights of the victims but also to send a strong institutional message that public safety cannot be compromised. The Court’s involvement can ensure a fair and transparent investigation, timely compensation, and long-term policy reforms to prevent such disasters.
Possible Directions the Supreme Court May Issue in the Air India Flight AI 171 Crash Case
The Hon’ble Supreme Court may consider ordering an independent judicial inquiry, possibly headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge, to thoroughly investigate the causes of the crash, aviation safety lapses, and failures in urban planning around the airport.
In determining compensation, the Court may refer to the legal principles established in Triveni Kodkany v. Air India (2020) and international standards under the Montreal Convention, 1999, and may direct the disbursal of interim compensation of ₹50 lakh to the families of each deceased medical student and to injured civilians.
In addition to compensation, the Court could also issue policy directives to:
- Strengthen aviation safety protocols;
- Enforce zoning regulations around airports;
- Ensure safe residential infrastructure in high-risk zones.
The overarching aim should be not only to provide justice to the victims but also to enforce accountability and promote systemic reforms to avert such tragedies in the future.