Ahmedabad plane crash anniversary: Father of victims demands investigation report be made public
Synopsis
One year after Air India Flight AI-171 killed nearly 260 people in Ahmedabad, no investigation findings have been made public. A bereaved father whose son and daughter-in-law died in the crash is now calling on the government to release whatever is available — even as 150 families prepare to gather at the Meghaninagar crash site on 12 June for a candlelight memorial.
Key Takeaways
Air India Flight AI-171 crashed into a medical hostel in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad on 12 June last year, killing nearly 260 people .
Anil Patel , who lost son Harshit Patel and daughter-in-law Pooja Patel , has urged the government to release any available investigation findings immediately.
Air India denied allegations of pressuring families into compensation settlements, saying it is following established industry norms.
Around 150 families are expected at a candlelight memorial at the crash site on 12 June , from 5 pm to 6:30 pm IST .
No investigation report has been made public nearly a year after the crash, fuelling frustration among victims' families.
As the first anniversary of the Ahmedabad plane crash approaches on 12 June, families of the nearly 260 people killed in the Air India Flight AI-171 disaster are renewing calls for transparency, with one bereaved father urging the government to release whatever investigative findings are currently available — without waiting for a final report.
A Father's Plea for Answers
Anil Patel, who lost his son Harshit Patel and daughter-in-law Pooja Patel in the crash, has appealed directly to the government to make its findings public. 'I request the government to make public whatever report is available as soon as possible. We need to know how this tragedy happened,' he said.
Patel described the profound isolation that has followed the loss of his immediate family. 'I am alone now. Ours was a small family. My daughter is married and lives with her husband's family. My son and daughter-in-law were my entire support system,' he said. He recalled that his son would call him every night — sometimes as late as 11 pm — to recount the events of his day. 'Their absence has left a void that can never be filled,' Patel added.
What Happened on 12 June Last Year
The London Gatwick-bound Boeing 787 crashed into a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar area shortly after take-off on 12 June last year. The disaster claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew members, along with additional casualties on the ground, bringing the total death toll to nearly 260. The crash is considered one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent years.
Among those killed was the daughter of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Air India subsequently faced allegations that it was pressuring families to accept compensation settlements within a specific timeframe — claims the airline denied. In a letter addressed to Radhika Mishra, Rupani's daughter, the airline stated that no family was being coerced into accepting its compensation package, and that it was following established industry norms in the compensation process.
Memorial Planned at Crash Site
Around 150 bereaved families approached local authorities on 9 June seeking support for a memorial programme at the crash site in Meghaninagar on 12 June. In a letter dated 8 June, Kuldip Ishrani, representing the affected families, requested police assistance for the event, scheduled from 5 pm to 6:30 pm IST.
Attendees are expected to observe a period of silence, participate in a candlelight prayer, and pay tribute to those who lost their lives. For many families, the gathering will serve a dual purpose — honouring the dead while reinforcing their demand for accountability.
The Accountability Gap
Nearly a year since the crash, no investigation findings have been made public. Families say the absence of official clarity compounds their grief. This is not an isolated concern — aviation accident investigations in India have historically faced criticism for their pace, and the scale of the AI-171 disaster has sharpened scrutiny on the process. The anniversary is likely to intensify pressure on the government and aviation regulator to provide at least a preliminary account of what went wrong.
Point of View
Yet no preliminary findings have been shared with the public or the families — a gap that accountability norms in comparable jurisdictions would not permit. Air India's compensation process is running ahead of the investigation timeline, which raises an uncomfortable question: are settlements being structured before liability is formally established? The memorial on 12 June will be watched closely, but the more important deadline is the one the government has yet to set for itself.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Ahmedabad plane crash?
Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 bound for London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar area shortly after take-off on 12 June last year, killing nearly 260 people including 241 passengers and crew and additional casualties on the ground. It is one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India in recent years.
Why is Anil Patel demanding the investigation report be released?
Anil Patel, who lost his son Harshit Patel and daughter-in-law Pooja Patel in the crash, says families deserve clarity about what caused the tragedy. He has asked the government to release whatever findings are currently available, rather than waiting for a complete final report.
What is Air India's position on compensation for victims' families?
Air India has denied allegations that it was pressuring families to accept compensation settlements within a specific timeframe. In a letter to Radhika Mishra, daughter of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani who also died in the crash, the airline stated it is following established industry norms and that no family is being coerced.
What is planned for the first anniversary of the Ahmedabad plane crash?
Around 150 bereaved families are expected to gather at the crash site in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, on 12 June from 5 pm to 6:30 pm IST. The memorial will include a period of silence and a candlelight prayer. Organiser Kuldip Ishrani submitted a letter on 8 June requesting police support for the event.
Has any investigation report been published on the AI-171 crash?
No investigation findings have been made public as of the first anniversary of the crash. Families say the absence of official information compounds their grief and are calling on the government to release at least a preliminary account of what went wrong.
