New Delhi: Air India on Wednesday issued a clarification on the allegations of Radhika Mishra, daughter of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, saying that no pressure is being put on the families of those who lost their lives in the plane crash to accept the final compensation. The airline clarified that allegations of families being forced to accept compensation or give up legal rights before the investigation report is not true.
Radhika Mishra had made serious allegations
In fact, Radhika Mishra had written a letter to N Chandrasekaran alleging that Air India was pressurizing the victims’ families to sign the final compensation agreement documents. He said that families are being asked to give up their rights to file a lawsuit even before the full truth about the causes of the accident is revealed. In response to these allegations, Air India said that no time limit has been set for any bereaved family or individual, nor is any kind of pressure being put on them.
‘If the family wants, they can wait’
Expressing condolences to those who lost their lives in the accident, the airline said that if the families wish, they can wait till the final investigation report comes. Air India also said that the accident is being independently investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Therefore the airline is not aware when the investigation report will be made public. According to the airline, the final compensation process was initiated in October 2025. At that time most of the interim payments had been completed and claim forms had been provided to victim families.
‘Not being forced to make a choice’
The airline said in its statement that Air India is in constant dialogue with the families who want to take the compensation process forward. The company said families are not being forced to choose between receiving immediate financial assistance and waiting for investigation reports. Air India also informed that its parent company Tata Group is continuously engaged in relief and assistance operations.
Vijay Rupani was on board flight AI-171
The airline informed that through the AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust set up by the Tata Group, an ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 crore has been provided to almost all the families who lost their relatives in the accident. This assistance is separate from the formal compensation process. Let us tell you that former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also aboard Air India flight AI-171. He was on his way to meet his daughter when the plane crashed just seconds after takeoff.
260 people died in the plane crash
The accident occurred when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft fell on the hostel campus of BJ Medical College soon after take off. In this horrific accident, 241 out of 242 people on board the plane died, while 19 people on the ground also lost their lives. Overall, 260 people died in this accident.
SK Sharma is a content writer who writes on news, entertainment, and lifestyle topics. She has over four years of experience and is known for conveying information in simple and clear language.
