Wreckage of the Air India aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad
Credit: PTI Photo
Air India has reportedly denied allegations that it coerced the families of victims in the Ahmedabad plane crash to disclose financial details in order to process compensation.
The crash, which occurred on June 12, involved Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flying to London. It left 241 people dead.
Following the tragedy, the Tata Group had announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for each of the families affected by the crash. According to a PTI report, Air India confirmed it has already compensated two-thirds of the victims’ families.
However, controversy erupted when some families claimed they were forced to provide financial details about their dependence on the deceased to seek the compensation. The families alleged that the airline was trying to use this information to reduce the amount of the payouts.
In response to these claims, Air India, on Friday, called them "unsubstantiated and inaccurate."
The airline emphasized that the support and welfare of the families affected by this tragic incident is its top priority, and it takes such accusations very seriously.
India Today reported that it had accessed the concerned compensation form. Did it ask for financial details? A shared copy of the document on the news website included questions about the deceased’s employment, occupation etc.
However, Air India's latest statement seems to suggest that the compensation process was handled appropriately and in good faith.