Families of nine British plane crash victims sue Air India in London HC

TOI correspondent from London: The families of nine British victims of the AI 171 June 12, 2025 plane crash are suing Air India in the London high court.

The families have filed a joint legal claim for personal injury and damages in the King’s Bench Division through their law firm.




James Healy-Pratt, aviation partner at Keystone Law, said: “High court proceedings have been issued against Air India but have not yet been formally served on them. This is against the backdrop of upcoming confidential negotiations in London. Hopefully the parties will resolve their claims through such dialogue without the need for a trial.”

When contacted by TOI, Air India declined to comment.

The Boeing 787 crashed in Ahmedabad shortly after take-off; 241 of the 242 people on board perished.

Mariam Javed Ali Syed (35) a brand ambassador at Harrods, and her husband Javed Ali Syed (37), manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel, and their children, Zayn (6) and Amani (4), died in the crash. The family had gone to India to celebrate Eid and look after Javed’s mother, Farida. A claim has been brought by Syeda Minnat, the administrator of Mariam’s estate, and two relatives, Sadaf Javed and Syed Ali Hassan.

Ramesh Hirani (51), the founder of Reset From Diabetes, was in India developing a wellness project when his life was cut short. He left a wife, Tina, and their three children. His claim is being brought by his brother Pritesh Hirani (53) and his mother Amarbai Hirani.

Ashok Patel (74) and his wife Shobhanaben Patel (71), from Gujarat, who had settled in the UK in 1978, died on the Gatwick-bound flight. They had gone to India on a spiritual pilgrimage. Their sons Miten and Hemit Patel are bringing the legal action.

Ketan Kumar Shah Bharatbhai (43), from Dorset, had come to India to visit his sick father in Padra, Vadodara. A claim is being brought by his wife Megha and two children, Vyom and Yhavi.

Lawrence Christian (30), from Maninagar, Gujarat, who was living in London, had gone to India to perform the last rites for his father, Daniel, and was killed on his return home. His wife, Ayushi, is bringing the legal action.

Last July Air India announced an interim payment of Rs 25 lakh to the families of all the deceased passengers, and to Viswashkumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the crash, which would be adjusted against any final compensation.

Ramesh (39) is now back in Leicester. He is using a different law firm and is not involved in this HC case. His spokesperson, Sanjiv Patel, told TOI: “Mr Ramesh’s legal claim remains ongoing, and he is currently undergoing rehabilitation. Our focus remains on his recovery, with appropriate care and support being coordinated.”