Air India denies forcing victims’ families to disclose financial dependency

New Delhi: Air India has pushed back against allegations made by British law firm Stewarts Law, which claims the airline forced families of victims from the AI 171 crash to disclose financial dependence on the deceased in order to access compensation.

The firm, representing over 40 affected families, has accused the airline of coercive tactics and intimidation in connection with the London-bound Boeing flight that crashed in Ahmedabad, killing over 241 passengers and crew.

"Air India categorically rejects these allegations and refutes them as both unsubstantiated and inaccurate," the Tata Group-owned carrier said in a statement.

The airline clarified that a questionnaire circulated to some passengers was intended only to confirm family relationships and ensure that interim payments were distributed to the appropriate recipients.

“Understandably, there are some formal processes that must be followed, but we are giving families all the time and flexibility they need. We want to support however we can,” Air India said in a statement.

"In order to facilitate payments, Air India has sought basic information to establish family relationships to ensure that the advance payments are received by those entitled to them. Family members have been issued with a questionnaire to allow Air India to gather the information required to process compensation payments. This can be submitted in person at our Facilitation Centre at the Taj Skyline hotel in Ahmedabad or by e-mail, and families have been given time and flexibility to complete these. Air India has certainly not made any unsolicited visits to families’ homes," the statement added.

According to Air India officials, interim compensation of ₹25 lakh has been disbursed to 47 families, with payments for another 55 families currently being processed.

Meanwhile, Stewarts Law has alleged that families have been “coercing” families into submitting legally significant financial disclosures as a condition for receiving compensation.

"This tactic has deeply distressed families already dealing with an immense loss," the firm said.

These accusations come in the aftermath of the tragic crash on June 12, when the aircraft plummeted into a medical college hostel shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, killing all 241 people on board and many on the ground.

Peter Neenan, a partner at Stewarts and an aviation lawyer with experience representing families affected by major airline disasters including MH17 and MH370, said the airline's conduct could result in under-compensation amounting to at least £100 million. “This is the real horror of what they’re potentially looking to do,” he said, calling for an investigation into the airline’s behaviour.

Neenan added that families were approached without prior notice or legal counsel and were not given copies of the documents they were asked to complete. He also said some families reported that Air India officials visited their homes, questioning them about unsubmitted forms.

He further claimed families were falsely informed that no payments would be issued unless the forms were completed, despite international law mandating immediate advance payments to eligible families upon proof of identity and a signed receipt.

(inputs from IANS)