New Delhi, June 24 (UNI) A public interest litigation has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an immediate suspension of operations of all Boeing aircraft operated by Air India, pending a comprehensive safety audit.
The petition comes in the aftermath of a tragic Air India Boeing crash on the Ahmedabad–London route on June 12, which claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew members, along with 29 individuals on the ground.
The PIL, filed by advocate Ajay Bansal, urges the apex court to ensure stringent compliance with safety regulations and passenger service standards under the Aircraft Act, 1934, and Aircraft Rules, 1937.
According to the plea, the petitioner and his wife experienced serious service failures on Air India flight AI 127 from Delhi to Chicago on May 20, 2025.
Despite travelling in Business Class, they encountered non-functional seats, inoperative in-flight entertainment systems, and air-conditioning that failed until cruising altitude.
A formal complaint was lodged with the airline, which admitted partial fault and offered compensation of Rs 10,000.
The petition asserts that such issues are systemic and not isolated. It cites widespread social media reports and videos documenting repeated technical malfunctions on Air India flights.
Highlighting the June 12 crash, Bansal alleges a failure of airworthiness and inadequate maintenance protocols.
The plea also references a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) inspection report that allegedly found falsified internal safety audit records by Air India.
Thirteen spot checks claimed to have been conducted at major airports were found to be fabricated, with no supporting documentation or authorised signatures. In several cases, the listed auditors were reportedly flying as passengers during the supposed inspections.
Despite Air India’s acquisition by the Tata Group in 2022, the petitioner contends that serious lapses in both safety standards and passenger service persist.
The PIL seeks the Court’s directions for immediate grounding of aircraft deemed unfit for operation, and formulation of new safety guidelines. The petitioner sought mandatory and periodic technical inspections,
Public disclosure of safety audit findings and penal action for regulatory non-compliance.
The matter is expected to come up for hearing in the coming days.
