SC issues notice to Centre for new probe into Air India crash, says pilot error narrative 'unfortunate'

Justice Surya Kant described the claims made by the reports as 'unfortunate and irresponsible'

Supreme Court on September 22 issued a notice to the Central government and others on a public interest litigation (PIL) for an independent probe into the June 12 Air India crash.

The top court also took exceptions to reports saying pilots of the ill-fated aircraft deliberately switched off the fuel supply before the crash.

Justice Surya Kant described the claims made by the reports as "unfortunate and irresponsible".

The top court made the remarks after senior advocate Prashant Bhushan said a Wall Street Journal article, published before the official report was submitted to the government, had cited sources claiming that the pilots were being blamed. Bhushan said that the narrative of the pilots making a mistake had circulated even though they were highly experienced.

The apex court has also asked for a response from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which had issued a preliminary report in July, revealing the reasons behind the crash that killed 265 people.