Citizens demand judicial probe into Ahmedabad plane crash, cite neglect of intern doctors, victims' families

By A Representative  

A wide coalition of concerned citizens, academics, medical professionals, social activists, and public intellectuals has submitted a petition to the Prime Minister of India demanding an urgent judicial inquiry into the recent tragic airplane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed over 240 lives.

The petition, coordinated by the Movement for Secular Democracy (MSD), calls for a high-level judicial committee, headed by a retired High Court justice and comprising eminent citizens, to investigate the incident beyond the scope of the existing technical committee.

In their appeal, the petitioners noted that while nearly all passengers on board perished, the broader impact of the crash on the local population — particularly intern doctors living and working near the crash site — has not been adequately assessed or addressed. Several intern doctors, who lost family members and suffered injuries themselves, have reportedly been forced to vacate hostels without proper alternative housing or food arrangements. Many continue to work in hospitals treating victims, despite dealing with personal trauma.

The crash occurred in a densely populated part of the city that includes tea stalls, notary tables, military offices, and the Mental Hospital Compound — areas frequented by common citizens and hospital visitors. Victims include residents from Udaipur, Vadodara, Kheda, Mehsana, Ahmedabad, and Botad districts. According to the petition, most affected individuals are from economically weaker backgrounds and remain unaware of their rights or avenues for compensation.

“While the airline company has announced limited compensation, the government has yet to declare any comprehensive relief or rehabilitation package,” the petition states, emphasizing that monetary relief alone cannot compensate for the lives lost or the trauma endured.

The key demands of the signatories include:

- A judicial committee to investigate the full circumstances of the crash.

- A public hearing to document the testimonies of victims' families and affected citizens.

- Immediate provision of proper housing and food for displaced medical students and interns.

- Government compensation for deceased doctors, students, and civilians.

- A 24x7 toll-free helpline and grievance redressal mechanism for affected families.

- Free medical treatment for all injured.

- An official and transparent release of the total number of casualties and injuries.

Among the more than 100 signatories are well-known figures such as Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, danseuse and activist Dr. Mallika Sarabhai, Editor Anuradha Bhasin of Kashmir Times, economist Dr. Indira Hirway, and human rights activist Fr. Cedric Prakash. The petition has also been endorsed by numerous professors, students, retired civil servants, poets, lawyers, doctors, and citizens from across Gujarat and India.

The petition has been copied to the President of India, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Medical Commission (NMC), and national media outlets.

The signatories have urged the government to respond swiftly and sensitively, warning that bureaucratic negligence risks compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis.