LEAKED FILES: Sealed Envelopes Delivered to Air India 171 Victims’ Families Contain Mysterious Object
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed 32 seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 241 of the 242 passengers and crew aboard and 19 people on the ground. The tragedy, one of India’s worst aviation disasters, left families devastated and investigators grappling with unanswered questions. Now, a shocking revelation has emerged: leaked documents suggest that relatives of the victims received sealed envelopes containing a single, identical object—an object that inexplicably links all families together, deepening the mystery surrounding the crash.
The Envelopes: A Disturbing Discovery
According to sources close to the investigation, whose identities remain confidential due to the sensitive nature of the case, families of the victims began receiving unmarked, sealed envelopes within days of the crash. These envelopes, delivered anonymously to homes, hospitals, and temporary facilitation centers in Ahmedabad, contained no letter or explanation—just a small, metallic object described as a “key-like pendant” with intricate engravings. The objects are reportedly identical, bearing a symbol resembling a stylized wing or flame, though its exact significance remains unclear.
The leaked files, allegedly obtained from an internal Tata Group memo and shared on encrypted platforms, indicate that at least 147 families—corresponding to the number of interim compensation payments processed by Air India as of July 26, 2025—received these envelopes. Families of both passengers and ground victims, including those of British, Indian, Portuguese, and Canadian nationals, reported receiving the same object. Imtiyaz Ali Syed, who lost his brother Javed, sister-in-law Mariam, and their two children, told reporters, “It arrived at my doorstep in London, no sender, no note. I thought it was a mistake, but others got it too.”
The Object: A Symbol or a Clue?
The pendant, described as palm-sized and made of a lightweight, silver-colored alloy, has baffled recipients and investigators alike. Early analysis by forensic experts, cited in the leaked documents, suggests the material is not commonly used in aviation or household items, raising questions about its origin. The engravings, which include a series of geometric patterns and a central wing-like emblem, do not match any known cultural or religious symbols associated with the victims’ diverse backgrounds—169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
Speculation about the pendant’s purpose has run rampant. Some families believe it’s a gesture of condolence, possibly linked to the AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust established by the Tata Group, which pledged ₹1 crore per victim. Others, like Ameen Siddiqui, whose British brother-in-law died in the crash, view it with suspicion, calling it “a creepy reminder of our loss” and questioning why no official explanation was provided. The leaked files hint at internal confusion within Air India and the Tata Group, with one memo allegedly noting that “the distribution was not authorized by the Trust or airline management.”
Investigation and Controversy
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), leading the probe into the crash, has not publicly commented on the envelopes or the objects. However, a source within the AAIB, speaking anonymously, confirmed that investigators are aware of the deliveries and are exploring whether they constitute evidence tampering or a coordinated effort to influence families. The preliminary report, released on July 8, 2025, focused on the mysterious movement of the fuel control switches to the “CUTOFF” position, which caused the engines to lose thrust. The report did not mention the envelopes, leading some to speculate that the objects are unrelated to the official investigation.
Families have expressed outrage over the lack of transparency. Sameer Rafik, cousin of crash victim Faizan Rafik, told the BBC, “First they give us a report that says nothing, now these strange keys show up. What are they hiding?” The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) has cautioned against “hasty conclusions,” echoing concerns from the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association about speculative narratives surrounding the crash. The leaked files, which surfaced on platforms like X and encrypted forums, have fueled theories ranging from corporate cover-ups to conspiracies involving sabotage or terrorism, though no evidence supports these claims.
Families’ Reactions and Legal Action
The delivery of the envelopes has compounded the grief of families already struggling with the identification of remains, a process complicated by the crash’s intense fires, which reached 1,500°C. By June 28, 2025, all 260 victims were identified, primarily through DNA analysis, though one DNA sample remains unmatched due to degradation. The discovery of the pendants has led some families to delay funerals, fearing the objects may hold clues to the crash’s cause or the victims’ final moments. In one reported case, a British family found that the remains they received were incorrect, further eroding trust in the process.
UK-based families, representing 53 British victims, are consulting with law firms like Keystone Law to pursue legal action against Air India and Boeing. The firms are investigating whether the envelopes constitute an attempt to placate or intimidate families, especially as some have rejected Air India’s compensation offers. Anil Ambalal Patel, who lost his son Harshit and daughter-in-law Pooja, described the pendant as “a cold, heavy thing” that offered no comfort, saying, “It’s not money we want—it’s answers.”
The Broader Implications
The pendants’ uniform design and mysterious delivery have sparked debates about their origin and intent. Some online theories suggest they could be linked to a whistleblower within the investigation, attempting to highlight overlooked evidence. Others speculate about a cultural or memorial gesture gone awry, though the lack of an accompanying message undermines this theory. Aviation experts, like John Cox, emphasize the need for caution, noting that such anomalies can distract from the technical investigation into the fuel switches and Boeing’s design.
The Tata Group has denied involvement, stating, “Air India is focused on supporting victims’ families and cooperating with the AAIB. We have no knowledge of these alleged deliveries.” Yet, the leaked files suggest internal discussions about the pendants, with one document reportedly urging staff to “avoid speculation” about their source. The AAIB’s final report, expected within a year, may clarify whether the objects are relevant to the crash’s cause or merely a bizarre footnote.
Conclusion
The sealed envelopes delivered to the families of Air India Flight 171 victims have added an unsettling layer to an already tragic and perplexing disaster. The identical, key-like pendants, with their cryptic engravings, have united families in their confusion and grief, raising questions about accountability and transparency. As the AAIB continues to investigate the crash’s mechanical and human factors, the mysterious objects serve as a haunting reminder of the unresolved questions surrounding the tragedy. Whether a clue, a coincidence, or something else entirely, the pendants have ensured that the story of Flight 171 remains far from closed.
