In a strongly worded letter to the Civil Aviation Ministry, the father of one of the pilots killed in the Ahmedabad plane crash has demanded that the central government order a formal investigation into the tragedy.

The crash of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on June 12, operating as flight AI171 to London Gatwick, remains one of the deadliest accidents in India in recent years. The aircraft went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing all 260 people on board, including 241 passengers and 19 crew members.

Among those who died was Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, a senior pilot with more than two decades of experience. His father, Pushkaraj Sabharwal, 91, has now written to the Civil Aviation Secretary and the Director General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), urging that a government-led formal probe be launched under Rule 12 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017. This rule allows the central government to institute an independent, higher-level inquiry if required.

The AAIB released its preliminary report on July 12, stating that fuel supply to both engines was cut off within a second of each other, leading to cockpit confusion immediately after takeoff. The cockpit voice recorder reportedly captured one pilot asking the other: “Why did you cut off?” to which the other replied that he had not.

However, the preliminary report also led to media speculation about Captain Sabharwal’s mental health, suggesting that he may have been under stress or contemplating suicide.

In his letter, Pushkaraj said these suggestions were deeply hurtful and unfounded: “These insinuations have badly affected my health and mental well-being, apart from damaging Captain Sumeet Sabharwal’s reputation. His dignity is protected by Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to reputation as part of the right to life.”

He described the report as “deficient, diversionary and discrepant,” arguing that it gave undue protection to the aircraft manufacturer while casting doubts on the pilot.

Pushkaraj strongly rejected claims that his son’s personal life had any bearing on the accident. He pointed out that Captain Sabharwal’s divorce took place 15 years ago and his mother had passed away more than three years earlier. “After his mother’s passing, Captain Sabharwal operated over 100 flights without any incident. To suggest that he was driven by depression or personal issues is baseless,” he wrote.

The letter also highlighted the late pilot’s professional achievements:

  • Over 25 years of flying experience.
  • 15,638 total flying hours, including 8,596 hours on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
  • Certified as a Line Training Captain, authorised by the DGCA to train other pilots.
  • A spotless record: “In all these years, he never faced a single incident or accident,” Pushkaraj noted.

Pushkaraj emphasised that only a formal investigation under Rule 12 could ensure a fair, transparent and credible outcome. He also criticised the selective release of cockpit voice data and other probe material, saying it created confusion and damaged his son’s legacy. “The absence of a formal inquiry, coupled with selective leaks to the media, is very disturbing. It violates not just my peace of mind, but also the fundamental rights and reputation of my deceased son.”

So far, neither the Civil Aviation Ministry nor the AAIB has commented on Pushkaraj’s letter. The AAIB has earlier cautioned against premature speculation, stressing that the final report will establish the root cause of the accident.

For now, the grieving father insists that only a higher-level formal probe can restore his son’s honour and deliver justice to the families of all 260 victims.