A Lingering Shadow: One Year After the Air India Tragedy

One year has passed since Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025, claiming the lives of 259 people both on board and on the ground. For the families of the victims, the passage of time has done little to alleviate their grief, instead highlighting a persistent struggle for accountability, adequate compensation, and a clear understanding of what transpired. The incident remains a raw wound for many, with initial reports pointing towards pilot error, while a final investigation report is still pending, leaving crucial questions unanswered.

A Mother's Unforgettable Ordeal

Sita Patni, residing in Ahmedabad's Meghani Nagar, bears the physical and emotional scars of that devastating day. Her right hand, waist, and legs are marked by severe burns, a poignant reminder of her desperate, yet ultimately futile, attempt to rescue her youngest son, Aakash. On the day of the crash, 14-year-old Aakash had decided to nap under the makeshift roof of his mother's tea stall, a decision that tragically sealed his fate. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Flight 171, crashed into a nearby medical college hostel, and a burning wing subsequently fell onto Patni's stall. The explosion flung her away, and she watched in horror as flames engulfed her shop, screaming for her son. She was initially informed that Aakash had been hospitalized and was recovering, only to learn 20 days later that he had died on the day of the crash. The sound of planes, once a source of fascination for the children of Meghani Nagar, now serves as a painful reminder of the tragedy that struck their community.

The Dream That Became a Nightmare

Approximately 150 kilometers from Ahmedabad, Salim Patel grapples with a different dimension of loss and frustration. His 25-year-old son, Sahil, had secured a coveted two-year UK work visa through the British government's India Young Professionals Scheme, a lottery that promised a new life in London and upward mobility for his middle-class family. However, Sahil was among the passengers on Air India Flight 171. Patel recounts the family's initial joy, which quickly turned to despair. He laments, "Little did I know that the visa that gave us utmost happiness was actually a death warrant." He has voiced strong demands for justice, advocating for severe penalties for those deemed responsible for what he believes was a man-made catastrophe. While a preliminary report suggested pilot error, Patel disputes this, believing the aircraft itself was faulty. He alleges that representatives from Air India and Tata, the conglomerate owning the airline, offered compensation contingent on proving Sahil was already salaried, and later requested photographic evidence of his son working in an office. These claims highlight the complex and often distressing process families face in seeking restitution. Many families, including Patel's, have turned to a US-based law firm, with at least 120 families reportedly seeking legal assistance in their pursuit of fair compensation.

Grief, Bureaucracy, and the Threat of Deportation

In London, Muhammad Shethwala, 28, faces a dual burden of profound grief and an impending threat of deportation. His wife, Sadika Tapeliwala, and their daughter, Fatima, were returning to London on the ill-fated flight after attending a family wedding in India. Shethwala learned of the crash while at work and initially refused to believe his family was gone. He traveled to Ahmedabad, spending nine days at the hospital, hoping for a miracle. The eventual release of Sadika's body, accompanied by her gold bangle and Fatima's earring, confirmed their deaths. Returning to the UK in July 2025, Shethwala fell into a deep depression. In January 2026, he received deportation orders from the UK government. His residency in the UK was contingent on Sadika's visa, as she was working as a consultant after completing her MBA. With her death, his dependent status was revoked. Shethwala has contested the deportation order, incurring nearly $15,000 in legal fees. He has sought assistance from Air India for these costs but has reportedly received no support. While he expresses no desire to remain in London indefinitely, he seeks a short-term work visa or the removal of any accusation of overstaying from his immigration records to prevent future travel bans to European nations. The airline has not publicly responded to Al Jazeera's inquiries regarding the compensation claims or Shethwala's case.

As the one-year mark passes, the families affected by the Air India Flight 171 crash continue their arduous journey for answers and justice, navigating emotional trauma, complex legal battles, and bureaucratic challenges in the wake of an unimaginable tragedy.

Source: Air India crash: Grieving families say justice remains elusive a year later