New Delhi: Fresh questions have emerged over compensation procedures following the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash, after the daughter of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani alleged that the airline was seeking final settlement agreements from victims’ families before the official investigation into the disaster is completed.
Radhika Mishra, Rupani’s daughter, has reportedly written to Tata Group and Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, expressing concerns over documents circulated by the airline. According to her, the paperwork requires families to waive present and future legal claims before all facts surrounding the crash are known.
In her communication, Mishra argued that families deserve not only compensation but also clarity regarding the circumstances that led to the tragedy. She questioned why final releases were being sought before the completion of official investigations and urged the airline to ensure that financial support is not linked to the surrender of future legal rights.
The June 12, 2025 crash of Air India Flight AI171 remains one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, striking residential and hostel buildings near a medical college campus. A total of 260 people lost their lives, including 241 of the 242 passengers and crew members on board and 19 people on the ground. Rupani was among those killed in the accident while travelling to meet his daughter.
Responding to the allegations, Air India rejected claims that families were being pressured into accepting compensation offers. The airline stated that there is no deadline for accepting any settlement and that families are free to wait until the official investigation report is released before making a decision.
Air India further said that the crash investigation is being conducted independently by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and that the airline has no information regarding when the final report will be published.
According to the airline, some families have requested to proceed with compensation settlements, and suspending the process indefinitely would not be fair to those wishing to move forward. Air India maintained that individuals retain the choice to either accept the offer now or await the outcome of the investigation.
The issue has reignited debate over how airlines balance compensation obligations with ongoing accident investigations, as many families continue to seek answers about the circumstances surrounding the devastating crash.
