‘I only want justice’: bereaved families seek closure one year on from Air India crash

I Only Want Justice: Air India Crash Families Seek Closure

I only want justice - One year after the devastating Air India Flight AI171 crash, families of the victims continue to demand justice. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which crashed shortly after departure from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport, claimed 241 lives, including 169 Indian citizens and 52 British nationals. Among those lost was Hasumatiben Patel, a London-based mother who had returned to India to visit her family. Her son, Sagar Patel, still recalls their final call, saying, “I only want justice.” The tragedy has left deep emotional scars, with relatives seeking clarity on the events that led to the crash and the promise of closure.

The Flight That Shattered Lives

On 12 June 2026, the aircraft was en route from Gujarat to London, carrying passengers from diverse backgrounds. The crash into a medical college building minutes after takeoff left a trail of destruction, claiming both lives in the sky and on the ground. Sagar Patel, who had just reunited with his mother, described the routine call they shared before her journey. “She’d tell me: ‘Yep, I’m on the flight. See you later.’” This simple exchange became the last memory of his mother, who had been living with him, his wife, and their daughter in the UK. The incident not only disrupted their lives but also left a lingering sense of injustice for the families.

“I told her: ‘I’ll be there to come and pick you up. I’ll see you later on.’ That was my last conversation with her.”

The grief of the past year has been compounded by the absence of definitive answers. While investigators have worked to uncover the cause, families remain in limbo. “We’ve lost literally the heart of the family,” Sagar said, reflecting on the impact of his mother’s loss. The emotional toll has grown as uncertainty about the crash persists, fueling the demand for transparency and accountability.

A Year of Searching for Truth

As the anniversary of the crash approaches, the search for truth continues to weigh heavily on survivors. Shweta Parihar, whose husband Abhinav died aboard the flight, described how the memories remain fresh. “He kept saying: ‘I just want to talk to my dad.’” The cost of rebuilding their lives in the UK has become a financial burden, with Shweta relying on a health work visa to support her son. “Everything is now lost,” she said, emphasizing the struggle to maintain stability in their new home.

“He starts crying over small things now. Every little thing makes him cry.”

For families like Shweta’s, the pursuit of justice has become intertwined with their daily lives. They seek not only to understand the crash but also to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. “I only want justice,” echoed by many, highlights the universal desire for clarity and fairness. Despite the passage of time, the emotional and practical demands of their loss continue to shape their journey toward healing.

Voices of Grief and Hope

Mike Andrews, an aviation lawyer representing over 135 families, expressed frustration over the delay in finalizing the crash investigation. “They are still being victimised, even one year after the crash,” he stated, underscoring the families’ ongoing struggles. Air India and the Tata Group, which owns the airline, have faced criticism for not providing timely updates. “We’ve not even heard the black box or anything like that,” said Sagar Patel, who believes being in India this week could bring some resolution.

“I only want justice,” said Mohammed Shoeb Iproliya, a widower from the UK, as he mourned the life he and his wife Nusratjahan had envisioned together. “When I come back home, she would be waiting at the door.”

The crash has left families in a state of emotional limbo, with unanswered questions about the incident still haunting them. While investigators have made progress, their final conclusions have yet to be shared. For those affected, the quest for justice is not just about finding the truth—it’s about reclaiming their sense of normalcy and honoring the lives lost. “I only want justice,” they say repeatedly, their voices carrying the weight of a year of unresolved sorrow.