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Biggest challenge is identifying bodies and handing them respectfully to their families: Mohol

'Post mortem examinations are underway, alongside DNA profiling, to help in identifying the bodies'

5 min readPuneUpdated: Jun 15, 2025 08:41 AM IST

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol (Express)

In the aftermath of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed over 240 lives, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol spoke to The Indian Express about the steps the government is taking to facilitate the process of identifying bodies. In a conversation with Sunanda Mehta, the Lok Sabha MP from Pune revealed that so far, 220 DNA tests have been completed and eight bodies have been identified and handed over to the families

What is the current status of the rescue and recovery operations?

Rescue efforts are now in the final phase. Over 600 fire personnel, 100 ambulances, 250 army personnel, teams of the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force along with the Rapid Action Force police personnel and a dedicated green corridor were established for rescue operations. Expert medical teams and DNA specialists are working round the clock treatment of patients and identification of the bodies.

Round-the-clock control rooms at the Civil Hospital and SEOC remain active. Shelter, food, transport, and communication support have been arranged for victims’ families. While immediate rescue is almost complete, treatment and identification of bodies are still ongoing with full coordination between central and state agencies

What have been the biggest challenges in the rescue operation?

The biggest challenge at the moment is identifying the bodies and ensuring they are respectfully handed over to their families and loved ones.

How many bodies have been identified and DNA tests done?

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Authorities have so far completed DNA sampling for at least 220 victims. Despite the scale of the tragedy, eight bodies have been identified and handed over to their families.

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How is the Government ensuring dignified repatriation of the bodies?

Post mortem examinations are underway, alongside DNA profiling, to help in identifying the bodies. As soon as identification is confirmed, bodies will be respectfully placed in coffins and made available to families at the post mortem room of B J Medical College in Pune. Air India will facilitate the transportation of the remains through its cargo services.

What is the status of those injured?

Approximately, 50 victims were admitted to the Civil Hospital, of whom 30 have been discharged. Some victims are in a critical condition.
Any indications as yet on what could have been the cause of the crash? The black box recovery is a breakthrough.

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An enquiry into the crash has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The exact cause of the crash will be determined upon completion of the enquiry.

Yes, the Black Box (Digital Flight Data Recorder – DFDR) was recovered by the AAIB from the accident site yesterday. This will play a crucial role in the enquiry.

When can a preliminary report be expected? How will transparency be ensured?

The preliminary report will be published as per provisions of Annex 13 of ICAO and Aircraft Rules (Investigation of Accident and accidents), 2017. The preliminary report and the final report would be made public after the same is accepted by the authorities.

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Also Read | ‘Unable to find a direct flight, London-based family opted for Air India flight from Ahmedabad’

A high-level committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, to examine the causes leading to the crash. The other members of this committee are Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Additional Secretary / Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs; representative from the home department, Gujarat; representative from the State Disaster Response Authority, Gujarat; Police Commissioner of Ahmedabad, Director General (Inspection and Safety) of the Indian Air Force; Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security; Director General of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA); Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau; Director of Directorate of Forensic Science Services. Any other members, as deemed fit by the committee, including aviation experts, accident investigators, and legal advisors, may also be included.

The committee will examine the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines in place, identify gaps, and suggest more effective measures to prevent such accidents and propose appropriate strategies for the future.

The committee is expected to submit its report within three months.

What are the next steps ahead for the government?

Downloading of the FDR data and joint investigation with the state of manufacture and state of design, analysis of the aircraft and crew documents with the aim of finding the root cause of the accident so as to prevent future recurrence.

Sunanda Mehta

Sunanda Mehta is the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Pune. She is a distinguished journalist, columnist, and author with over three decades of experience in the media industry. Educational background: A merit-lister in her 12 th in CBSE (5th rank in Humanities) Sunanda stood first in History in the Board for which she was awarded the Dr Tarachand Gold Medal. She is a triple-graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (History Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, Bachelor of Education, Delhi University (on scholarship) and Bachelor of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune. Professional Background Role: As Resident Editor, she oversees the Pune edition of The Indian Express, managing local news coverage, investigative features, and editorial direction for the city. Author: She is an accomplished author, known for her biographies. Her notable books include: The Extraordinary Life and Death of Sunanda Pushkar published by Pan Macmillan (2019). The book was long-listed for the Atta Galatta award for nonfiction and Auther award for best debut author. Majestic Musings - Translation of poems from 100 year old Badshaian from Punjabi to English (2023) Behind the Big Screen- the untold stories of child actors published by Bloomsbury India (2024) Focus Areas: While Sunanda has reported on various subjects from civic to political to investigative and crime, her forte remains long-form human-interest stories, heritage and gender issues. Core Column: "Against All Odds" Sunanda curates and writes a signature series titled "Against All Odds," which profiles individuals who have overcome significant personal, medical, or professional challenges. Recent notable articles (2025) The Story of Dr. Harinder Dhaliwal (July 2025): A Pune AFMC topper who became a neurologist in Canada despite becoming paraplegic. Jayoo Patwardhan’s Cancer Journey (Jan 2025): How the National Film Award-winning designer defeated cancer. Partha Iyengar’s Emergency mid-air (Aug 2025): The story of how Gartner’s India head survived a massive heart attack during a long-haul flight. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage continues to explore deep personal narratives and Pune’s socio-environmental landscape: 1. Personal Narratives & Closure "'I grieved for him 10 years after his murder, found closure to unsolved case'" (Dec 14, 2025): A poignant feature on Vineet Alurkar, son of the late Pune music legend Suresh Alurkar, and how digitizing his father’s collection helped him heal. "A 40-day journey home: how Christopher Benninger's partner gave him the gift of memories" (Nov 23, 2025): A moving tribute to the late acclaimed architect Christopher Benninger and his final trip to the US. "'After 38 years I finally met my biological mother'" (Sept 28, 2025): Chronicling the journey of an adopted daughter from Zurich searching for her roots in Pune. 2. Civic & Heritage "'Vetal Tekdi belongs to common citizens'" (Oct 20, 2025): An interview with environmental activist Dr. Sushma Date on the community-led protection of Pune’s vital green lungs. "'Military village' Apshinge recalls living through war days" (Aug 12, 2025): A report from a village in Maharashtra where nearly every household has a member in the armed forces, focusing on their legacy and current anxieties. 3. High-Profile Commentary & Investigations "Malegaon blast acquittals: 'I was expecting this verdict'" (July 31, 2025): An interview with former special public prosecutor Rohini Salian following the controversial acquittals. "Grounded, license cancelled... she decided to soar higher" (March 30, 2025): The story of Dr. Harpreet A De Singh, Air India’s first woman pilot from 1988, and her transition to leadership and meditation. Signature Style Sunanda Mehta is known for her empathetic storytelling. Unlike standard news reporting, her features often read like narrative non-fiction, focusing on the psychological and emotional resilience of her subjects. One of her articles in The Indian Express titled 'The Quality of Mercy' was converted into a film Rubaru Roshini produced by actor Aamir Khan. She is a strong advocate for Pune's heritage and environment, frequently using her platform to amplify citizen-led movements. X (Twitter): @sunandamehta and @ExpressPune ... Read More

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