Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Sep 19: Affected persons and members of the families of those who perished in the crash of Air India Express flight at Kenjar near the local airport on May 22 last have approved of the decision of Mangalore Air India Crash Victims Families Association to approach Supreme Court for the redressal of their grievances.

A meeting of the affected persons and family members of victims was held at Sahodaya Hall in the city on Sunday September 18 to deliberate on the issue. The association has decided to support Arikkad Abdul Salam from Kumble, who has already decided to file an appeal against an order of the division bench of Kerala High Court, which asked the affected to enter into fresh dialogue with Air India.

The meeting noted that Air India and certain affected people are involved in a bargain on the quantum of compensation payable in the case. The meeting decided that only a third party tribunal can provide justice to the people affected by the said crash. President of the association, Muhammed Beary, explained that as per Montreal Convention, the minimum quantum of compensation is Rs 75 lac, even when the flight operator is not at fault. He said that the compensation should be considerably higher, considering the fact that pilot error had been proved in respect of this said air crash.

A number of affected persons including Razck, Habib Sulaiman Kasargod, Mehmoood Teruvat, Abbonu, and Basit Narayanan, along with legal advisors, Varadaraj, Nayana Pai, Sridharan etc were present.