As the nation reels from the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI-171, which claimed 241 lives shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, political tremors have begun to surface. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has raised the possibility of cyber sabotage, demanding a thorough inquiry into the causes of the crash, even as the Centre forms a high-powered committee to assess lapses and propose reforms in aviation safety protocols.
In the aftermath of one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory, political storm clouds are gathering as Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut questioned whether the crash of Air India Flight AI-171 was the result of a cyber attack or deliberate sabotage by a hostile state actor.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport in London, went down within 30 seconds of takeoff on June 12, leaving all passengers and crew members, except 1 passenger, dead. The nation is still coming to terms with the shock and grief, but the political discourse has shifted toward accountability and deeper implications.
“I am not an expert,” Raut said in a press briefing on Wednesday, “but serious questions need to be raised. Could this have been a cyberattack by an enemy country? They have previously targeted India’s military installations, why not civil aviation systems next?”
Political Accusations and Maintenance Questions
Raut did not stop at cyber sabotage. He brought up questions of systemic failure, poor maintenance, and government accountability, reigniting debates about India’s aviation oversight. “Why was Ahmedabad selected for this flight? Who is responsible for maintenance at that airport? Why are passengers now afraid to fly?” he asked. He also took aim at the political history of India’s aviation deals, referencing the BJP’s opposition to the Boeing deal during UPA rule under then-Minister Praful Patel.
Raut criticised ministers for their “insensitive behaviour at the crash site” and accused the government of failing to maintain aviation infrastructure and ensure safety compliance.
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Government Response: High-Level Committee Formed
In response to mounting public outcry and political pressure, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the formation of a High-Level Multidisciplinary Committee to probe the crash and suggest reforms. The committee, headed by the Home Secretary, will include officials from the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, aviation experts, and emergency response agencies.
According to the government notification, the committee will:
- Examine the root causes of the crash, including aircraft systems, ATC logs, black box data, and maintenance records.
- Assess the effectiveness of the emergency response from all stakeholders.
- Suggest operational improvements, SOP revisions, and policy enhancements.
- Include international best practices for crash prevention and response.
The committee has been given three months to submit its final report.
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The Boeing Question: Past Deals and Present Crises
While the committee focuses on the technical aspects, political factions are zeroing in on deeper questions, including the long-standing controversies around Boeing aircraft in India, recurring maintenance lapses, and transparency in aviation procurement. Experts point out that several Boeing aircraft in India have faced mid-air failures, bird strikes, and emergency landings in the last five years. This crash, involving a new-generation Dreamliner, intensifies scrutiny of India’s public-private maintenance contracts and training standards.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a parallel investigation, focusing on potential equipment failure, crew error, or sabotage. Cybersecurity agencies, including CERT-In and the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), are said to be analysing the possibility of a cyberattack, though no official confirmation has been made.
A Nation in Mourning, and in Search of Answers
The crash has left a deep scar, not just in the families of the deceased, but across a nation increasingly dependent on air travel for domestic and international connectivity. In airports and homes, fear has replaced confidence, and the demand for answers has never been more urgent. As rescue workers continue to recover wreckage and remains, India is confronted not only by grief but by the pressing need to modernize its aviation safety protocols and digital infrastructure.
About the author – Prakriti Jha is a student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, currently pursuing B.Sc. LL.B (Hons.) with a keen interest in the intersection of law and data science. She is passionate about exploring how legal frameworks adapt to the evolving challenges of technology and justice.