'Nobody Believes Ahmedabad Crash Was Your Son's Fault': SC Tells Father Of Air India Pilot

The Supreme Court on Friday told the father of the pilot-in-command of the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad not to carry the burden of the unfortunate tragedy, as his son can not be blamed for it.

"It’s extremely unfortunate that this crash took place, but you (father) should not carry this burden that your son is being blamed... Nobody can blame him (Pilot) for anything," the top court said.

While hearing the petition filed by father of late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, Justice Surya Kant said that no one in India believes the crash to be the pilot's fault. 

The apex court also issued a notice to the Centre, DGCA and others on the petition seeking an independent probe.The top court also said that there is no insinuation against the pilots of the plane in the preliminary report.

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Justice Bagchi added, "There is no insinuation against the pilot so far. The investigation report merely records the communication between the two pilots, it does not apportion blame."

The petitioner also argued, through advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, that only a preliminary investigation under Rule 9 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules had been carried out and there was a requirement of a full, independent probe under Rule 11.

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Justice Surya Kant told the petitioner, "Whatever may be the cause of the tragedy, the pilot is not the cause."