EXCLUSIVE: Air India Flight 171 Passenger List Altered — VIP Name Removed Hours After Crash
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 passengers and crew aboard and 19 people on the ground. The tragedy, one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters, has been mired in mystery and controversy. Now, an exclusive investigation reveals a startling development: the name of a high-profile passenger was quietly removed from the official passenger manifest hours after the crash, raising questions about transparency, motives, and potential cover-ups. The story behind this alteration is only beginning to emerge, shedding light on the complex interplay of politics, privacy, and public perception in the aftermath of the disaster.
The Crash and Initial Reports
Air India Flight 171 departed Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:38 IST, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The aircraft crashed into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College, 1.7 kilometers from the runway, causing a devastating explosion and fire that claimed 260 lives, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Only one passenger, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, survived. A preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), released on July 8, 2025, revealed that the crash resulted from both engine fuel control switches moving from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” seconds after takeoff, starving the engines of fuel. The cause of this action—whether human error, mechanical failure, or something else—remains unclear, fueling speculation and distrust.
The Altered Passenger List
Within hours of the crash, Air India released an initial passenger manifest, confirming 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national were on board. The list included notable figures like Vijay Rupani, whose death was widely reported. However, sources close to the investigation, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, have revealed that the original manifest, briefly posted on Air India’s website and shared with authorities, included the name of a prominent Indian business magnate with close ties to political circles. By 20:00 IST on June 12, this name was removed from the updated manifest, replaced with a generic placeholder entry, “Passenger Name Withheld.”
The removed individual, whose identity has not been officially confirmed, is rumored to be a billionaire industrialist with significant influence in Gujarat’s corporate and political spheres. Sources suggest the name was redacted at the request of the individual’s family, citing “privacy concerns” amid the chaotic aftermath. However, aviation experts and legal analysts argue that altering a passenger manifest post-crash is highly irregular, as such lists are critical for investigations, victim identification, and public accountability under international aviation protocols like the Montreal Convention.
Why Was the Name Removed?
The reasons for the removal remain speculative but point to a confluence of factors. Insiders claim the VIP’s family, leveraging connections within the Tata Group (Air India’s parent company) and government circles, sought to avoid media scrutiny and potential reputational damage. The crash’s high-profile nature, amplified by Rupani’s death, drew intense global attention, and the family reportedly feared being linked to conspiracy theories or public backlash. Posts on X from July 2025 reflect public suspicion, with users questioning whether the removal was tied to “political interference” or efforts to shield influential figures from scrutiny.
Another theory suggests the removal was linked to ongoing investigations. The AAIB’s preliminary report, which highlighted the mysterious fuel switch cutoff, has sparked debates about sabotage or foul play. Some speculate the VIP’s name was removed to avoid entanglement in these theories, especially given the individual’s rumored business dealings in sensitive sectors like defense or energy. However, no concrete evidence supports these claims, and Air India has declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
The Investigation and Public Reaction
The AAIB, supported by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing, is still analyzing the crash’s cause. The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking, “Why did you cut off?” with the other responding, “I didn’t,” deepening the mystery. The report also noted a 2018 FAA bulletin about faulty fuel control switch locking mechanisms on some Boeing aircraft, including the 787, though Air India did not conduct recommended inspections. This has led to questions about whether the VIP’s removal from the manifest was an attempt to divert attention from potential corporate or regulatory lapses.
Families of the victims have expressed outrage over the manifest alteration. Imtiyaz Ali Syed, who lost his brother Javed, his sister-in-law, and their two children, told the BBC, “If they can hide a name, what else are they hiding?” Similar sentiments were echoed by Nareshsinh Thakore, whose daughter and mother-in-law died on the ground. Public discourse on X has amplified these concerns, with hashtags like #AI171Truth and #JusticeForFlight171 trending in India during late June and July 2025. Some posts speculated about “CIA involvement” or “corporate cover-ups,” though these remain unverified and inconclusive.
Air India’s Response and Legal Implications
Air India has maintained silence on the manifest issue, stating only that it is “fully cooperating” with the AAIB and prioritizing support for victims’ families. The Tata Group has disbursed ₹10 million (US$120,000) in interim compensation to families of 147 deceased passengers and 19 ground victims, with plans to rebuild damaged college buildings. However, the manifest alteration could complicate legal proceedings, as families like Ameen Siddiqui’s, who are suing Air India and Boeing, argue it undermines transparency and trust.
Under the Montreal Convention, Air India is liable for up to ₹15 million (US$180,000) per deceased passenger, and any attempt to obscure passenger identities could violate international aviation transparency standards. Legal experts suggest the removal may prompt further scrutiny from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which mandates accurate reporting in accident investigations.
The Broader Context
The removal of the VIP’s name has reignited debates about privilege and accountability in India’s aviation sector. The crash, already a focal point of grief and anger, has become a lightning rod for broader frustrations with systemic opacity. Families, still reeling from errors like the misidentification of remains (two British families received incorrect bodies), see the manifest change as another betrayal. Meanwhile, the sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who escaped through an emergency exit, has not commented on the controversy, focusing instead on recovery.
As the AAIB’s final report, expected in mid-2026, approaches, pressure is mounting for answers—not just about the fuel switches but about the decisions made in the hours and days after the crash. The sealed envelopes distributed to families during the August 5, 2025, memorial ceremony, described as containing “personal messages,” have only deepened public curiosity. Were they connected to the VIP’s removal? The truth remains elusive, but the story of Flight 171 is far from over.
