'Why Pick Only Air India?' : Supreme Court Rejects PIL For Safety Audit Of Air India Fleet

The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a public interest litigation seeking independent probe into Air India's safety checks, maintenance procedures, etc. in the aftermath of the tragic Ahmedabad Plane Crash, which claimed 270 lives. 

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi dismissed the petition as withdrawn, with liberty to the petitioner file an appropriate writ petition at an appropriate time. "Wait for some time. Go to the authority...about safety mechanism, etc...if you give your suggestions, we are quite sure they will consider. If they don't really do anything, then will think of [doing something]..." said Justice Kant.

The PIL, filed by Narendra Kumar Goswami and Laxman Prasad Goswami, sought constitution of an independent committee, headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court, to investigate Air India's safety practices, maintenance procedures, and operational protocols, with a report to be submitted within 3 months. It further prayed for a comprehensive safety audit of Air India's entire fleet by an international aviation safety agency accredited by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), addressing deficiencies identified in the 2024 ICAO audit report.

Further, the petitioners demanded that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) implement a transparent, publicly accessible reporting system for all aviation safety incidents, including a centralized database, ensuring compliance with the Aircraft Rules, 1937, and international best practices. They also sought a time-bound report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding the Ahmedabad Plane Crash and compensation for the victims/their kin of two Air India safety incidents (one being the Ahmedabad plane crash).

At the outset of the hearing, Justice Kant posed to the petitioner, "You should not be identified with a corporate war [with] an airline which is unfortunately run down because of such a big tragedy...you now want so many things against [it]...why not against other airlines? Don't give an impression that you've lent your services to someone, some rival".

In response, the petitioner mentioned that he had a personal bad experience with the airlines, inasmuch as he himself survived a fire incident on one of Air India's flight. Hearing this, the bench said that for individual reliefs, alternative remedies can be availed before consumer forums.

Insofar as the petitioner sought a robust mechanism by DGCA, the bench questioned as to why the same should be limited to only Air India. "If you want to have some regulatory mechanism, that must apply to all the airlines - whether international airlines coming here, or domestic airlines. You can't single out Air India only", said Justice Kant.

"As far as your issues with Air India, have mercy...you know how there was an unfortunate tragedy...this is not the time to [run down] like this", added the judge. Ultimately, the petition was dismissed as withdrawn with liberty mentioned above.

Notably, another PIL has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking suspension of the Air India's Boeing fleet till appropriate safety and security audits are conducted. The same is yet to be listed. Two doctors have also written a letter to the Chief Justice of India seeking suo motu action by the Supreme Court with respect to the Ahmedabad plane crash. This letter seeks directions to the Central Government to disburse compensation to the victims at the earliest and a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of the crash.

Case Title: NARENDRA KUMAR GOSWAMI AND ANR. Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 628/2025