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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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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.

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DMK leader’s son arrested after car rams family in Krishnagiri, one dead

A 20-year-old son of a DMK leader has been arrested for allegedly driving a car into four members of a family in Krishnagiri, killing assistant labour inspector Sivamoorthy.

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A 20-year-old son of a leader from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been arrested for allegedly mowing down four members of a family following a heated argument in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. One person died in the incident, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Sivamoorthy, an assistant labour inspector and a resident of Krishnagiri. According to the police, the incident occurred outside his residence after the accused, identified as Adithya, objected to a two-wheeler parked on the road.

Police said Adithya was driving the car and began honking as the two-wheeler was blocking the road. Sivamoorthy and his family members reportedly stepped out to move the vehicle. During the exchange that followed, an altercation broke out.

Investigators allege that Adithya then rammed his car into Sivamoorthy, his son Kirubakaran, daughter-in-law Amsavalli and granddaughter Nilani. Sivamoorthy sustained severe injuries and later succumbed. The others were injured in the incident.

Besides Adithya, two of his friends — Rithik Kumar and Harish — who were present in the car at the time, have also been arrested. A case of murder has been registered against the trio and further investigation is underway.

Kirubakaran, recounting the incident, said the family had attempted to move the parked two-wheeler when the accused damaged it. He alleged that the men appeared intoxicated and tried to assault them with a stick before the vehicle was driven into the family.

Amsavalli said they had tried to defuse the situation peacefully but the confrontation turned violent, resulting in her father-in-law’s death and injuries to her child.

A police officer stated that Adithya’s father is a local functionary of the DMK in Krishnagiri district. The victim’s family has demanded strict action in the case.

Reacting to the incident, state BJP chief Nainar Nagendran criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, questioning the state government over the episode and alleging that party functionaries were misusing their influence.

Police said the probe is ongoing.

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Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails

Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.

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Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.

According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.

A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.

Metro stations under heightened surveillance

Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.

Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.

The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.

Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.

While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.

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JNU protest turns violent as Left and Right student groups trade charges

A late-night protest at JNU turned violent as Left and ABVP student groups accused each other of stone-throwing and attacks near the East Gate.

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JNU Protest

Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.

Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.

According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.

However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.

Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.

Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.

University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.

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