New Delhi, Sept. 17 -- In a letter dated August 29 to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Directorate General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), 91-year-old Pushkaraj Sabharwal, father of the late Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, has demanded a formal investigation into the June 12 Air India Flight AI171 crash.

He accused authorities of selective leaks and media speculation that he says have unfairly maligned his son's reputation.

Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad while en route to London Gatwick, killing 241 people, including 230 passengers, 12 crew members, and several people on the ground. Only one passenger survived.

In his letter, Sabharwal alleged that the p...