New Delhi, Sep 22 (UNI) The Supreme Court today, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Safety Matters Foundation regarding the Air India Flight 171 crash in June 2025, observed that confidentiality is crucial in such cases and only the final outcome of the enquiry should be placed in the public domain.
The PIL sought disclosure of information from the flight data recorder to clarify the cause of the accident.
A Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh heard the matter and remarked that confidentiality must be preserved, particularly as it could affect the privacy of the families of the deceased pilots.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner organisation, stated that over 100 days had passed since the crash and only a preliminary report had been released after a month, which offered little clarity on the causes or safety precautions.
He argued that the investigation was being carried out by a five-member team, three of whom were serving officers of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), thereby creating a conflict of interest since DGCA’s role in the incident itself was under scrutiny.
Bhushan urged that details from the flight data recorder should be disclosed, noting that cryptic references in the preliminary report had led to adverse narratives against the pilots in the international media.
He also pressed for an independent probe, contending that either the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) or a judicial body should conduct the enquiry.
Justice Kant, however, stated that releasing the recorder data prematurely was not advisable, calling it “the most crucial evidence”. He stressed that while the final conclusion of the enquiry must eventually be made public, confidentiality during the investigation is necessary. “Very unfortunate and irresponsible reports have already been published by the media,” he remarked.
The Bench issued notice to the Centre and the DGCA seeking their response in the matter.
The case will be taken up further after the union government files its reply.
