Did Air India Coerce AI 171 Crash Victims’ Families Into Disclosing Financial Dependency?

New Delhi, July 4 (NationPress) Air India has strongly refuted claims made by the British law firm Stewarts Law that it compelled the families of the AI 171 crash victims to reveal their financial dependency on the deceased in order to receive compensation. More than 40 families represented by Stewarts Law have accused the airline of employing tactics of coercion and intimidation while seeking claims linked to the tragic incident involving a Boeing aircraft that was headed to London from Ahmedabad, resulting in the loss of over 241 passengers and crew members.

“Air India categorically denies these allegations, deeming them both unfounded and incorrect,” stated the airline, part of the Tata Group, in an official release.

The airline explained that a questionnaire distributed to certain passengers aimed only to confirm familial connections, thus ensuring the proper distribution of interim payments.

“It is natural for formal procedures to be in place, but we are providing families with ample time and flexibility. Our goal is to offer support in any way we can,” Air India emphasized in its statement.

“To facilitate payments, Air India has requested basic information to establish family connections, ensuring that advance payments reach the rightful recipients. Family members have been provided with a questionnaire to assist Air India in gathering the necessary information for processing compensation. This can be submitted either in person at our Facilitation Centre located at the Taj Skyline hotel in Ahmedabad or via email, with families granted sufficient time to complete these forms. Air India has certainly not conducted any unsolicited visits to the homes of families,” the airline clarified.

Executives from Air India revealed that an interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh has already been disbursed to 47 families, while interim compensation for an additional 55 families is currently being processed and will be disbursed shortly.

The UK-based law firm Stewarts, representing over 40 grieving families, has accused Air India of “coercing” families into submitting crucial financial disclosures prior to receiving advance compensation.

“This approach has caused significant distress to families who are already coping with immense loss,” the firm stated.

The allegations arise weeks after the catastrophic incident on June 12, where 241 individuals aboard the plane, along with several on the ground, lost their lives when the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel mere seconds after departing from Ahmedabad airport.

Peter Neenan, an aviation attorney and partner at Stewarts, has a history of representing families affected by major airline disasters globally, including the notorious MH17 and MH370 incidents.

He asserted that the airline’s treatment of mourning families could potentially save it at least £100 million by under-compensating them. “This is the true horror of what they might be attempting,” he stated, urging for an investigation into the airline’s conduct.

Neenan mentioned that families received no warnings, legal counsel, or copies of the documents. Some families reported that Air India representatives visited their homes to inquire about their incomplete forms.

Neenan also alleged that families were misled into believing they would not receive any payments unless they filled out the forms, despite the fact that airlines are mandated by international law to provide immediate advance payments to qualifying families. All that families need to do is provide proof of identity and sign a receipt.