GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 4th July: A month after the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad, families of the deceased have accused the airline of coercing them into providing sensitive financial information in order to receive advance compensation. The Tata Group-owned airline has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “unsubstantiated and inaccurate.”
The crash, which occurred on June 12 shortly after takeoff, claimed the lives of nearly all 242 passengers and crew onboard, as well as residents in the Meghaninagar area, where the plane crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College. Only one person onboard survived. In the aftermath, Air India announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for each bereaved family, along with an interim payment of ₹25 lakh.
However, UK-based law firm Stewarts, representing some of the victims’ families in association with Ahmedabad-based Nanavati and Nanavati, has accused the airline of “exploiting families at their most vulnerable time.” The firm claims Air India is pressuring families to complete a legally complex questionnaire under threat of not receiving compensation.
“Our clients were told they must complete the form in intense heat, with no legal guidance. Many terms in the questionnaire are complex and legally defined, but no explanation is being provided,” Stewarts said in a strongly worded statement. The firm also raised concerns that the information collected could potentially be used against the families in future legal proceedings.
Stewarts has partnered with Clifford Law and Kreindler & Kreindler to pursue legal action against Boeing and other US-based defendants in relation to the crash.
In response, Air India categorically rejected the claims and reiterated its commitment to supporting the affected families. “We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and have been working tirelessly to process interim compensation as swiftly as possible. The first payments were made within days of the accident,” the airline said in a statement issued Friday.
Air India clarified that the questionnaire is intended to verify legal relationships and financial dependence, ensuring the compensation reaches the rightful claimants. “This is not about intrusion but about fairness. We must establish who is entitled to receive the advance compensation,” it stated.
To facilitate the process, the airline said it had set up a facilitation centre at the Taj Skyline Hotel in Ahmedabad, with staff available to guide families through the form. The questionnaire was also made available via email, allowing families to respond without visiting the centre physically.
“As of now, interim compensation has been disbursed to 47 families, and documentation for 55 more has been verified. Payments to these families are being processed,” the statement added. The airline said it remains in dialogue with other affected families and their legal representatives to complete the compensation process at the earliest.
While Air India called for “responsible dissemination of facts”, Stewarts said it was “shocked and appalled” by the airline’s approach and urged it to show greater empathy.
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