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Air India Flight 171 crash: Expert suggests deliberate cockpit action may have caused tragedy

Aviation expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan suggests the Air India Flight 171 crash could have been caused by deliberate fuel cutoff by one of the pilots, citing cockpit audio and manual switch design.

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Air india flight crash

A chilling new theory has emerged around the deadly crash of Air India Flight 171, with aviation expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan alleging that the disaster may have been the result of a deliberate act by one of the pilots. His comments come in the wake of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report on the June 12 crash, which claimed the lives of 260 people, including 19 on the ground.

Expert flags manual fuel cut as suspicious

Captain Ranganathan, one of India’s most respected voices in aviation safety, highlighted that the aircraft’s fuel control switches were deliberately moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within seconds of takeoff. He emphasized that the design of these switches on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes accidental engagement nearly impossible.

“It cannot happen automatically or by turbulence. The pilot must physically pull and toggle the switches, which are guarded,” Ranganathan said.

Cockpit voice recordings reportedly captured an exchange between the two pilots, with one asking, “Why did you do it?” and the other denying responsibility. Ranganathan raised concerns over this ambiguity, questioning why the voices weren’t clearly attributed given standard cockpit recording practices.

One pilot may have had a medical history

Adding further weight to his claim, Ranganathan said he had received credible inputs from current Air India pilots indicating that one of the flight crew members had a medical condition and had been on extended leave prior to the crash.

“Many line pilots were aware of it. If management wasn’t, that would be surprising,” he added, urging investigators to probe not just recent health checks but the crew’s behavioral and psychological history over the past few months.

Although the AAIB report confirmed both pilots were medically certified at the time of flight, Ranganathan stressed that this certification does not account for mental wellness or stress-related issues.

Past incidents cited as parallels

Ranganathan pointed out that pilot-induced crashes, while rare, have occurred before. He referenced Germanwings Flight 9525, EgyptAir Flight 990, and others where mental health concerns were later linked to deliberate acts by cockpit crew.

The expert called out the lack of psychiatric assessments during pilot medical checks in India, criticizing both the airlines and the aviation regulator for neglecting this crucial aspect of flight safety.

“Pilots are being pushed to their limits. Fatigue, isolation, and lack of support systems are taking a toll. Treating pilots like machines will only increase such risks,” he warned.

Government calls for patience

Responding to media coverage and speculation surrounding the report, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu urged restraint, stating that the AAIB’s findings are still preliminary.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions. The full facts will come out in the final report. Our pilots and crew are the backbone of Indian aviation, and their welfare is important,” Naidu stated.

While the investigation continues, the preliminary findings and expert insights have raised troubling questions about pilot mental health monitoring and cockpit protocols. The final report from the AAIB is expected to shed more light on the tragedy that has deeply shaken the Indian aviation sector.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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