PIL in Madras HC seeks to curb ‘speculation blaming pilots’ in Air India crash

Citing speculative media coverage and the unchecked spread of conspiracy theories online in the wake of the Air India crash probe’s preliminary report, a Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking judicial intervention against defamatory coverage targeting the flight’s cockpit crew. 

The PIL was moved on Tuesday and listed on Thursday – Newslaundry could not verify the date the court has agreed to hear the matter. It was filed by Coimbatore-based lawyer and social activist M Pravin under Article 226 of the Constitution. 

“Baseless allegations and speculative narratives disseminated posthumously amount to reputational defamation of the deceased and cause avoidable emotional trauma to bereaved families. Despite a detailed representation dated July 14,2025,  sent to the secretary, civil aviation ministry, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, no concrete steps have been taken,” it alleges.

Pravin told Newslaundry, “A total of 242 people, including the pilots and cabin crew, lost their lives. Yet, many in the media and on social media, people with little to no understanding of aviation, are spinning conspiracy theories and blaming the pilots for the crash, despite the investigation still being underway…the DGCA’s silence has only added to the confusion, allowing speculation to flourish. After the release of the preliminary report, this misinformation has become even more rampant.”

Priyanka T, the lawyer representing Pravin, claimed, “There remains a real possibility that technical factors, not human error, could be involved. Seasoned aviation professionals across the country are asking for patience, understanding, and a commitment to fairness, reminding us all that only a thorough investigation can reveal the truth.”

Captain Sohil Handa, a former Air India pilot and expert in aviation and flight training, told Newslaundry, “The conspiracy theories and speculation blaming the cockpit crew are absolutely shameful.”

Handa also said “experienced Indian pilots”, who are qualified on Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, should be part of the investigation. “This will give confidence to the public and the entire world. Non-expert observation and opinion is creating confusion where the name of India is getting spoiled.”

Handa alleged “a financial dimension”. “If the crash is blamed on pilot error, insurance liability falls on the insurance company. But if it’s attributed to mechanical or systemic failure, then the manufacturer in this case, Boeing may be held responsible,” he claimed.

An Air India pilot, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed, “The language used doesn’t reflect the standard or tone expected from trained aviation experts. One of the most glaring issues is the selective use of cockpit voice recorder (CVR) transcripts. They’ve included just a single snippet about the fuel switch, while omitting the rest of the conversation. That raises serious questions.”

On the “pilot suicide” theory, the pilot pointed to the example of the Germanwings crash. “The first officer locked the captain out of the cockpit after he went to the washroom, and then initiated a fatal descent. In an eight-hour flight, pilots do go out to washrooms. If someone intended to crash the plane, they could do it then without any interruption. That’s how such an act is executed if it’s truly deliberate and planned. But in this case, two pilots were seated together. Why would someone choose that moment, next to a colleague, risking not just hundreds of lives but certain failure of their plan?”

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