A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking urgent intervention to strengthen aviation safety norms across India, following the fatal crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad earlier this month that claimed approximately 270 lives.
The petition, filed by advocate Ajay Bansal, calls for the immediate suspension of Air India’s Boeing fleet pending a comprehensive safety audit. It also urges the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to conduct unannounced inspections of all aircraft operated by Indian carriers, with findings made public and penalties imposed for non-compliance.
Citing violations of the Aircraft Act and Rules, the PIL alleges systemic lapses in maintenance and oversight, including falsified internal audits and malfunctioning in-flight systems. Bansal, who recently flew on an Air India flight from Delhi to Chicago, described non-functional seats and entertainment systems as symptomatic of broader safety failures.
The plea further demands the formulation of new mandatory guidelines for domestic and international operations, including periodic checks of cabin equipment, engines, and airframes in line with global standards.
