The AAIB summoned Captain Varun Anand, nephew of a deceased pilot in the 2025 Air India crash, sparking criticism over perceived bias.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has summoned Captain Varun Anand, nephew of the late pilot of the June 12, 2025, Air India Dreamliner crash, to appear on January 15, 2026, prompting objections from the Federation of Indian Pilots. The FIP called the move unwarranted, citing no clear legal basis, relevance, or need, and argued it stems solely from familial ties. They emphasized Captain Anand, a serving Air India pilot with no connection to the crash, has offered to testify via video conference and criticized the summons as potentially undermining the impartiality of the investigation. The preliminary report cited human error, but the final findings are pending. The AAIB has not responded.