In a tragic incident on April 9, an Air India Express pilot suffered a fatal cardiac arrest shortly after landing a flight from Srinagar to Delhi at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The airline confirmed the sudden demise, which has left colleagues and the aviation community in shock.

According to Air India Express, the pilot, identified as Armaan, began feeling unwell immediately after the aircraft touched down in Delhi. He was quickly taken to a nearby hospital, where medical personnel declared him deceased.

Colleagues later revealed that Armaan had vomited inside the cockpit following the landing and subsequently collapsed at the airline’s dispatch office at the airport, where he suffered the cardiac arrest, as per the reports.

In a statement, an Air India Express spokesperson expressed deep sorrow, saying, “We deeply regret the loss of a valued colleague due to a medical condition. Our thoughts are with his family during this time of profound grief. We are extending all possible support to them as we collectively cope with this tremendous loss. We request all concerned to respect their privacy and refrain from speculation while we assist the relevant authorities in their processes.”

The incident has raised concerns about the health and working conditions of pilots, especially as the aviation industry faces scrutiny over fatigue and stress. In a related development, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has postponed the implementation of new pilot rest rules, originally scheduled for June 2024. These updated Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms were designed to enhance pilot well-being by increasing weekly rest from 36 to 48 hours and reducing night flying hours from 13 to 10, aiming to combat fatigue.

However, airlines had requested additional time—approximately 8 to 10 months—to comply, arguing that the changes would require hiring 20–25 percent more pilots. Despite initially insisting on the deadline, the DGCA has now allowed carriers to continue operating under the 2019 rules until their revised plans are approved. Officials stated that the delay would provide an opportunity for further review and refinement of the regulations to ensure they are practical and effective.

On Thursday, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the Union government’s decision to refrain from waiving loans for those impacted by the landslides in Wayanad last July, calling it a “betrayal.”

As the Member of Parliament representing Wayanad, Priyanka highlighted a recent affidavit from the central government submitted to the Kerala High Court, indicating that the loans could only be rescheduled or restructured in accordance with the Reserve Bank of India’s Master Directions on Natural Calamities.

“The victims of the Wayanad landslides have lost everything: their homes, land, and livelihoods. Yet, the government remains unwilling to provide even a basic loan waiver. Instead, they are offered only loan rescheduling and restructuring, which is not genuine relief. This is a betrayal,” she stated in a Facebook post.

Priyanka further expressed her condemnation of the government’s indifference, stating that she and her party stand in solidarity with the affected individuals in Wayanad. “Their suffering will not be overlooked. We will continue to amplify their voices until justice is achieved,” she asserted.

The Centre’s affidavit was submitted in response to a query from the High Court concerning the possibility of waiving the loans taken by those affected. The Union Finance Ministry noted that a special meeting of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) of Kerala took place on August 19 of the previous year, which was attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This meeting resulted in the decision to apply relief measures as outlined in the RBI’s guidelines on natural calamities.

According to the RBI’s Master Directions, in the aftermath of a natural disaster, financial relief measures include the restructuring or rescheduling of existing loans, which offers a one-year moratorium along with the possibility of new loans.

This affidavit was submitted in relation to a Public Interest Litigation initiated by the court following the Wayanad landslides, aimed at enhancing disaster prevention and management strategies in Kerala. A significant landslide occurred on July 30 of last year, devastating the Mundakkai and Chooralmala regions.

Pakistan on Thursday issued a statement regarding the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key figure in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India from the United States. Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clarified during a media briefing that “Tahawwur Rana has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades. His Canadian nationality is very clear,” effectively distancing Pakistan from any responsibility or connection to the case.

The development marks a significant milestone in the long-standing effort to bring justice to the victims of the November 26, 2008, attacks, which claimed over 166 lives. Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was convicted in the US for providing material support to the Lashkar-e-Taiba group responsible for the coordinated assaults on Mumbai’s landmarks. His extradition, expected imminently, will see him face trial in India for his role in one of the deadliest terrorist incidents in the country’s history.

In India, preparations are underway to house Rana in a high-security ward at Tihar Jail in Delhi upon his arrival, according to reports. Authorities have made the necessary arrangements, but they are awaiting a court order to formalize his detention. The central government has appointed advocate Narender Mann as a Special Public Prosecutor to handle the trials and other legal proceedings related to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) case.

A Delhi court, presided over by District Judge Vimal Kumar Yadav, has already received the trial records of the 26/11 attacks in anticipation of Rana’s arrival. The records were transferred from a Mumbai court following the judge’s directive on January 28, prompted by an application from the NIA seeking to retrieve the documents for the upcoming proceedings.

Rana’s extradition from the US is seen as a major victory for India, which has long sought to prosecute all individuals involved in the Mumbai attacks. The incident, which lasted four days and targeted sites like the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and Nariman House, left a scar on India’s national psyche, killing civilians, security personnel, and foreigners. Rana’s role as a facilitator, providing logistical and financial support, made him a critical target for justice.

Pakistan’s statement, however, attempts to sidestep any association with Rana, emphasizing his Canadian citizenship and lack of active ties to Pakistani documentation.