Families of two victims killed in the tragic Air India flight AI171 crash have alleged a disturbing case of mistaken identity after DNA testing reportedly showed discrepancies in the repatriated remains. The allegations have surfaced amid growing concerns over how the aftermath of the June 12 crash is being handled by authorities and the airline.
Families Claim DNA Mismatch in Repatriated Remains
According to a report by NDTV, James Healy, a lawyer representing the affected British families, said that DNA analysis indicated a mismatch in at least two of the caskets sent to the United Kingdom. Of the 12 to 13 sets of human remains repatriated following the crash, two families were informed that the remains they received were not those of their relatives.
The incident pertains to the Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that had departed from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 1:30 pm, bound for London. Moments after take-off, the aircraft crashed into the staff quarters of BJ Medical College in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, sparking a devastating blaze. Of the 242 passengers and crew members on board, only one individual survived.
Air India, owned by the Tata Group, has stated it is investigating the allegations but has not yet confirmed the reported mix-up.
MEA Responds, Says “Dignity Maintained” in Handling of Victims
Addressing media questions over the issue, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen the report and have been working closely with the UK side from the moment these concerns and issues were brought to our attention. In the wake of the tragic crash, the concerned authorities had carried out identification of victims as per established protocols and technical requirements. All mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased. We are continuing to work with the UK authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue.”
Allegations of Pressure on Grieving Families Over Compensation
Adding to the controversy, Stewarts, a prominent UK-based litigation-only law firm representing several of the victims’ families, has accused Air India of coercing relatives into signing complex legal documents to access interim compensation.
“Our clients were told by Air India that they have to complete a questionnaire to receive an advance payment, forcing them to fill out this questionnaire in intense heat with no guidance on the terms and questions within it. We have now heard that Air India is following up with families and pressuring them to complete the questionnaire under threats of receiving no compensation,” the firm stated.
The firm further cautioned that the forms contain legally sensitive language that could be interpreted against the families later. “The information being asked could be used against families by Air India in the future, even though few families will understand how the questions should be interpreted,” the firm added.
Air India Denies Allegations, Cites Efforts to Support Families
Air India has firmly rejected these accusations, calling them “unsubstantiated and inaccurate.” In a statement, the airline said, “Air India has been making considerable efforts to process payment of interim compensation (also referred to as advance compensation) as soon as possible, in order to meet the immediate financial needs of affected family members, with the first payments having been made within days of the accident.”
Following the crash, the Tata Group announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹1 crore (approximately £85,000) for each bereaved family. Additionally, the airline pledged an interim financial relief of ₹25 lakh (approximately £21,500) to address urgent monetary requirements.
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