New Delhi, July 27: The Ministry of Civil Aviation informed Parliament on Monday that there has been no delay in the investigation into the Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash at Ahmedabad airport and the inquiry “is progressing as per established procedures.”

The investigations into major aviation accidents depend on several factors and involve multiple variables, making it impossible to specify a fixed timeline for the final report, the ministry said in a written reply to a question in the Upper House.

“The timeline for completing a major air accident investigation cannot be predicted,” the Ministry’s statement said.

It also said that all probable causes and contributing factors leading to the accident are being investigated, indicating that the probe remains comprehensive and no conclusions have been reached so far.

The ministry further informed the Rajya Sabha that the inspection of the complete Thrust Control Module at the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) facility is underway as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation had earlier, in a reply, also stated in Parliament that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is “transparently” conducting its investigation into the Air India Boeing crash on June 12 last year and “all probable causes leading to the accident are being investigated.”

A preliminary investigation report was published by AAIB on July 12, 2025, and the same is available on their website www.aaib.gov.in. The investigation is in progress, and the final report will be published after completion of the investigation, the ministry stated in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

“As per the ICAO Annex 13 requirements, the interim statement has been published by AAIB on June 12, 2026. The final investigation report will be published after completion of the investigation,” the ministry added.

As many as 260 people were killed when the AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner flight from Ahmedabad to London-Gatwick on June 12 crashed within 35 seconds of taking off. While 241 people on board the Dreamliner lost their lives, 19 people were killed on the ground. One passenger on the plane had a miraculous escape.

The preliminary report released by the AAIB on July 12 stated that both engines of the ill-fated Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost thrust after the two fuel cut-off switches moved from the ‘RUN’ to the ‘CUTOFF’ position. However, the cockpit voice recorder has revealed that one of the pilots told the other that he did not turn off the fuel control switches. The fuel switches were then returned back to the RUN position just before the plane crashed.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu earlier said that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s report on the Air India crash was based on preliminary findings, and urged against reaching any conclusions until the final report is released.

Chandigarh, July 27: A Punjab BJP delegation led by the party’s National President of the Central Valmiki Sabha India, Gejja Ram Valmiki, on Monday met the Governor of Punjab and submitted a memorandum seeking justice for sanitation workers who were cane-charged by police during a protest in Barnala town.

In the memorandum, Valmiki, a former Chairman of the Punjab Safai Karamchari Commission, said the peaceful protest by ‘safai karamcharis’, demanding legitimate rights, was met with a brutal and unprovoked assault by DSP Satvir Singh Bains and Station House Officer (SHO) Lakhwinder Singh on July 22.

He alleged that the incident reflected misuse of official authority and demanded strict action against the guilty officers.

The delegation urged the Governor to ensure the dismissal of both DSP Bains and SHO Lakhwinder Singh, asserting that their suspension alone cannot be considered justice.

They also demanded the immediate registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against both officers under the relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and on the basis of the victims’ Medico Legal Reports (MLRs).

The memorandum further sought the Governor’s intervention to ensure that the long-pending and legitimate demands of the sanitation workers are addressed without further delay.

The delegation expressed hope that constitutional authorities would act swiftly to ensure justice, accountability, and protection of the rights and dignity of the affected workers.

The police action had triggered widespread protests with several organisations, including BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), condemning the use of force and demanding legal action against the DSP.

Last week, the state government suspended DSP Bains after National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) Vice‑Chairperson Hardeep Singh Gill took suo motu cognisance of the incident and directed the government to submit a factual report within seven days.

In his communication to the Punjab Chief Secretary, Gill noted that media reports had raised serious allegations of police action against sanitation workers protesting in Barnala.

He had emphasised that safeguarding the rights, dignity and security of ‘safai karamcharis’ is a constitutional responsibility of the government and that any alleged violation of their rights must be examined with utmost seriousness.

The commission had directed the Chief Secretary to ensure a fair and transparent enquiry, obtain a detailed report from the Director General of Police (DGP), and submit the findings to the commission within the stipulated time. It also sought an examination of the role of the senior police officers concerned.

New Delhi, July 27: The Congress party on Monday criticised the welcome given to former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan by his fellow BJP MPs on Parliament premises, calling the developments “shameful”.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress MP and General Secretary in-charge Communications, took to social media to question whether the BJP considered Pradhan’s work commendable.

“Today, BJP MPs are welcoming former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as if he has achieved some great feat. The country has already seen how, instead of apologising for the paper leak in his resignation, Pradhan accused the students themselves of being misled, and after that, all central ministers praised him on social media. We believe that this entire episode is utterly shameful and a grave insult to the country’s youth,” he said.

“The BJP should make it clear whether, despite the paper leaks, the crumbling education system, the lathi charges on students, and the firing of pellet guns, Pradhan’s work was commendable?” asked the Congress MP.

“If not, then what is this honour for? And if yes, then does the BJP want to send this very message to the country’s youth and students? The country demands answers,” said Ramesh.

Earlier, Pradhan’s arrival at Parliament triggered spontaneous slogan-shouting by his fellow BJP and NDA MPs. As the former Education Minister stepped out of his car, with folded hands, cries of “Dharmendra Pradhan zindabad” rent the air.

There were celebratory scenes around Pradhan as one of the MPs presented him with a traditional headgear and placed a shawl on his shoulders.

Pradhan had stepped down as the Union Education Minister on Saturday following weeks of protest by a social media-driven movement, Cockroach Janta Party, and supporting groups over NEET irregularities.

The CJP concluded its protest soon after Pradhan’s exit from the Union Cabinet.

Pralhad Joshi, who currently serves as the Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, took over the additional responsibility of the Education Ministry following the resignation of Pradhan.