'If Ratan Tata were here ...': US lawyer slams Air India over Ahmedabad crash compensation delay

On July 26, Air India issued interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh to families of 147 passengers who perished, along with 19 others who died on the ground during the June 12 crash of flight AI171

Noted US attorney Mike Andrews, representing more than 65 families affected by the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash, has criticised Air India for the delay in compensating the victims’ families.

He stated that if Ratan Tata, the former Chairperson of the Tata Group, known for his compassion and strong work ethic, were still leading, such bureaucratic delays would likely not have occurred.

Andrews, on Sunday, praised Tata’s humility and dedication to employees, stating that under his leadership, victims and their families would not have faced such prolonged hardship.

“In the US, Ratan Tata is respected for his ethics and care for employees. If he were here today, we believe payments would have been handled promptly without bureaucratic obstacles,” Andrews said during an interaction with ANI.

Andrews highlighted a particularly heart-wrenching case involving a bedridden elderly woman who depended financially on her son, a victim of the crash.

“She has yet to receive compensation and is struggling to meet medical expenses. Her son’s untimely death has left her vulnerable, with no support,” he shared.

The families have filed a lawsuit in the US Federal Court against Air India and Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, through Beasley Allen, a US-based law firm.

Andrews, an aviation lawyer with Beasley Allen, has personally visited the crash site in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar area to meet with affected families.

On July 26, Air India issued interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh to families of 147 passengers who perished, along with 19 others who died on the ground during the June 12 crash of flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8, that tragically claimed 260 lives, including 229 passengers and 12 crew members.