NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has stated that the pilot of the Air India Boeing Dreamliner, which crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, should not be held responsible for the tragedy that claimed 260 lives. During a hearing on Friday, the court addressed Pushkaraj Sabharwal, the 91-year-old father of pilot Sumeet Sabharwal, reassuring him that he should not carry the burden of blame. Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi emphasized, "The pilot is not to be blamed for the plane crash. It was an accident. There is no insinuation against him even in the preliminary report."

The court's remarks came while considering a petition from Sabharwal, who sought a thorough investigation into the crash. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had reported that fuel supply to both engines was cut off shortly after takeoff. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing Sabharwal, criticized a Wall Street Journal article that suggested blame on India, prompting the bench to respond that the article did not implicate the pilot.

The Supreme Court noted that the AAIB's investigation aims to recommend preventive measures rather than assign blame. The bench stated, "If necessary, we will clarify that the pilot cannot be blamed." The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on November 10.

Pushkaraj Sabharwal had previously filed a petition for a court-monitored inquiry led by a former Supreme Court judge, calling for a "fair, transparent and technically robust" investigation. He expressed concerns that an incomplete inquiry could jeopardize future passenger safety and violate Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life.