The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12 shocked the entire nation. The tragic incident killed 260 people, including 241 passengers and 19 crew members. Among those who died was Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, one of the pilots flying the aircraft. Months after the accident, his father, a 91-year-old retired bureaucrat, has called for a new and fair investigation into the crash. He believes that the way the case has been handled so far has unfairly damaged his son’s reputation and caused him immense personal pain.
Captain Sabharwal’s father, Pushkaraj Sabharwal, has written a detailed letter to the Civil Aviation Secretary and the Director General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). In his letter dated August 29, he asked for a fresh formal inquiry under Rule 12 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017. He expressed deep concern that selective leaks and speculation in the media have tarnished his son’s image and made it seem like the pilot was at fault before the investigation was even complete.
“These innuendos have very adversely affected my health and mental setup and the reputation of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal,” Pushkaraj wrote. He said the reports suggesting his son was mentally unstable or under stress were completely false. He pointed out that his son’s divorce had taken place 15 years earlier and was long behind him. Similarly, Captain Sabharwal’s mother had passed away more than three years ago, but since then he had flown over 100 flights without any incident. This, he said, proved that his son was a responsible and capable professional who did not let personal matters affect his duty.
Pushkaraj also highlighted the need for transparency and fairness in the inquiry. He said that the investigation should not be influenced by pressure to protect aircraft manufacturers or other parties, but should focus only on the real cause of the crash. He wants the government to ensure that all facts are properly checked and that no pilot, including his son, is blamed without strong evidence.
The grieving father strongly criticized the preliminary report released by the AAIB on July 12. The report had said that it was “too early” to find the exact cause of the crash. However, instead of providing clarity, Pushkaraj said the report had led to more speculation in the public domain. It created room for people to assume that the accident might have been due to pilot error or even psychological instability.
In his letter, Pushkaraj described the report as “deficient, diversionary, and discrepant.” He said it appeared to absolve the aircraft manufacturers and did not focus enough on the technical aspects or operational issues that may have caused the disaster. According to him, this lack of direction has allowed damaging rumors to spread, which unfairly put the spotlight on his late son.
He also expressed outrage at the leak of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data. Details from the CVR reportedly appeared in the media soon after the accident, even though such information is meant to remain confidential until the investigation is officially complete. Pushkaraj said that making these private and sensitive recordings public violated aviation safety protocols and disrespected the privacy of both crew members and their families. He believes these leaks were not only unethical but also harmful, as they fueled baseless stories about his son’s mental state.
The father concluded his letter by urging the authorities to take strict action against those responsible for such leaks and to ensure that the final report reflects the truth. He stressed that a professional pilot like Captain Sabharwal, who had served with dedication, should not have his memory clouded by unverified claims.
The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad remains one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent years. While official investigations are still ongoing, families of the victims, including Captain Sabharwal’s, are demanding accountability and fairness. For Pushkaraj Sabharwal, this is not just about finding the technical cause of the crash, but also about restoring his son’s honor.
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By seeking a fresh probe, he hopes that the real facts will come out and his son’s reputation as a skilled pilot will be protected. His demand also raises important questions about how aviation accidents are investigated in India and whether enough is done to prevent bias or undue influence in such sensitive cases.
As of now, the Civil Aviation Ministry and the AAIB have not released any official statement responding to his letter. But his appeal has drawn attention to the human side of such tragedies, where families are left not only with grief but also with the burden of defending their loved ones against damaging rumors.
For many, the Ahmedabad crash was a painful reminder of how fragile air safety can be. For Captain Sabharwal’s father, it is also a battle to ensure that his son is remembered for his professionalism and not blamed without evidence. His request for a formal and transparent investigation stands as both a demand for justice and a plea for dignity.
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