AHMEDABAD — Air India Flight AI171 crashed less than a minute after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12 of the previous year, killing 260 people. The flight, bound for London, carried 242 passengers and crew, with only one survivor; 19 others on the ground also died in the crash.
An interim report was released one month after the incident, but the final investigation report has not yet been published. Investigators are expected to issue their final findings approximately one year after the crash, in line with international aviation guidelines that recommend such reports be completed within 12 months.
Javed Ali, his wife Mariam, and their two children were among those who died. The family had celebrated Eid together just days before the crash. Javed, who had moved to the UK, frequently returned to Mumbai to visit relatives and had been planning a business venture in Dubai with his brother Imtiyaz Ali.
Imtiyaz Ali and other relatives have expressed frustration over the prolonged wait for answers. "This confusion, this limbo haunts us," he said, describing the absence of closure. He added that Air India and Tata Group officials provided vague or delayed responses to inquiries about the investigation, the return of personal belongings, and medical support.
"We trusted them. We thought they would stand with us," Imtiyaz Ali said. "We live in a modern country. Why must we wait a year for answers?" Medical assistance arranged through Tata-linked programs took months to assess the condition of Javed’s mother, Farida Bano, according to Imtiyaz Ali.
Farida Bano, who has a heart condition, diabetes, and high blood pressure, suffered deteriorating health after her son’s death. Doctors inserted three additional stents into her heart in September, bringing her total to five. Her conditions were aggravated by stress, and her family initially concealed the truth of Javed’s death on medical advice. A psychologist helped deliver the news, and the family flew her to Ahmedabad under the pretense of visiting a sick relative before revealing what had happened.
"I lied to her. I told her they were fine," Imtiyaz Ali said, referring to his initial response to his mother. Farida Bano said, "When my son left, he didn't call me for two days. He never did that." She added, "I couldn't sleep. I kept asking: where is my son?"
"It feels like Javed is still there," Imtiyaz Ali said. "He follows me everywhere. Day and night," Farida Bano told the BBC.