Pilots' Body Challenges AAIB Summons of Deceased Pilot's Nephew in Air India Crash Probe

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has issued a legal notice to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) over its summons of Captain Varun Anand, nephew of the deceased Air India Flight 171 pilot Sumeet Sabharwal, in the probe of the June 12, 2025 crash that killed 260 people. FIP argues Anand has no factual or technical connection to the incident and that summoning relatives violates investigation rules focused on safety fact-finding without assigning blame. The AAIB maintains it has authority to summon anyone relevant to clarify facts, rejecting claims of harassment and emphasizing its mandate to conduct a thorough investigation.