India, Jan 16 : The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has sent a legal notice to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), strongly objecting to the summons issued to Captain Varun Anand in connection with the probe into the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
According to the notice, Captain Anand was informed by his employer, Air India, that the AAIB had sought his appearance as part of the investigation. The Federation argued that the summons failed to disclose the statutory provision, purpose or relevance under which he was being called, or the capacity in which his presence was required.
The FIP categorically stated that Captain Anand has no connection whatsoever with the crashed aircraft or the flight involved. “He had no role in the planning, dispatch, operation, maintenance, certification or crew composition of the flight. He was not present at the accident site and does not possess any factual, technical or operational knowledge relating to the incident,” the notice said.
Highlighting that Captain Anand is the nephew of the deceased pilot in command, the Federation alleged that summoning him and other family members solely on the basis of familial ties was impermissible in law. The notice described the action as “wholly without jurisdiction” and contrary to the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules and ICAO Annex 13, which restrict accident investigations to technical and safety related fact finding without attributing blame or liability.
The FIP further expressed concern that the investigation appeared to be proceeding on a preconceived narrative aimed at attributing responsibility to the deceased flight crew, rather than objectively examining systemic, mechanical or operational factors.
The Federation also pointed out that the father of late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and the FIP have already approached the Supreme Court, challenging the independence and fairness of the AAIB-led investigation. The matter, it said, is currently sub judice.
Calling the summons unwarranted and amounting to harassment during a period of personal tragedy, the FIP said Captain Anand would nonetheless cooperate with the probe by appearing via video conference, without prejudice to his legal rights and remedies.
The AI-171 Dreamliner crash claimed 260 lives, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members and 19 people on the ground, making it one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.