The father of the Air India pilot who died in the tragic crash that killed 260 people in Ahmedabad has requested the Supreme Court to order an independent investigation that takes into account causes other than pilot action, sources familiar with the matter were quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.

The petition represents a major escalation of protests by the father and a pilots' union against the government's handling of the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade, which came soon after takeoff in Ahmedabad , Gujarat.

In one of the worst aircraft accidents in India, 260 people, including 241 passengers, died after Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating flight AI171 to London Gatwick crashed soon after take off from Ahmedabad on June 12.

Seeks Probe by ex-SC Judge

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