New Delhi: Weeks after the deadly crash of Air India flight AI-171, families of victims are now accusing the airline of pressuring and misleading them during the early stages of the compensation process.

The fatal crash, which resulted in the deaths of 241 of the 242 passengers onboard, occurred moments after the plane took-off from Ahmedabad, en route to London.

According to a UK-based law firm representing over 40 families, Air India has allegedly threatened the victims' families with "no compensation" unless they fill out a detailed questionnaire, even as they remain in grief.

'Forced to Sign in the Heat, Without Legal Help'

The UK law firm, Stewarts, which is working in partnership with Ahmedabad-based Nanavati and Nanavati, said that the families were being made to complete a complex legal questionnaire simply to access an advance payment.

“We have now heard that Air India is following up with families and pressuring them to complete the questionnaire under threats of receiving no compensation,” the firm said in a statement, as quoted by News18.

Relatives were reportedly forced to fill out the forms “in intense heat with no guidance” and were not informed about the legal implications of the terms within the questionnaire. “It demands legally significant information using terms with a legal definition which is not being told to families,” the firm added.

Legal Team Alleges Attempt to Slash Payouts

The lawyers believe the airline may be using the early forms to limit future liabilities. Families have also claimed they were made to sign documents disclosing their financial dependency on the deceased, raising fears this data could be used to reduce eventual compensation.

“We are shocked and appalled that Air India is pressurising families for this information when they are at their most vulnerable,” said Stewarts.

The law firms are now advising clients not to complete the form. They said efforts are underway to secure fair compensation from Air India, Boeing, and any other responsible parties.