PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, 18th December, 2015

The National Human Rights Commission issued notice to the Secretary, Union Civil Aviation Ministry and Chairman, Air India after taking suo motu cognizance of media reports that an Air India ground staffer, Ravi Subramanian, died after he was sucked into the engine of an Air India aircraft at Mumbai Airport on the 16th December, 2015. They have been given two weeks to respond.

Giving directions to issue notices, Mr. Justice D. Murugesan, Member of NHRC has observed that the safety and security of both technical and non-technical staff are of great concern. Though the incident is pictured as an accident, the reports in the press are otherwise. Right to life guaranteed under the Constitution of India would include Right to Safety as well.

According to the media reports, carried on the 17th December, 2015, the incident took place when the aircraft, AI-619, was being pushed back from parking bay before takeoff. The victim (service engineer) was supervising the pushback.

*****