Mangalore crash: Investigation in disaster a sham?

[email protected] (Bipin Kumar Singh, Mid Day)

March 9, 2012

Mumbai, March 9: Member of Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Committee alleges cover-up by investigating agencies to ensure role of AAI, AI, DGCA does not come into question

The investigation report on the ill-fated Air India Express flight 812 that crashed in Mangalore on May 22, 2010 is inviting flak from all quarters.

A top aviation expert, who is associated with the Safety Advisory Committee of the Civil Aviation Ministry, has raised serious doubts over the investigation in the unfortunate incident.

Captain Mohan Ranganathan, former Air India pilot and a member of Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Committee of the Civil Aviation Ministry, has alleged a huge cover-up in the investigation report. "The probe was not the done the way it should have been. It seems the investigating agencies have ensured that the role of Airports Authority of India (AAI), Air India (AI) and Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) does not come into question. Besides, the agencies have shifted the entire blame on pilots, which is not true," he contended.

Ranganathan also alleged that it is not the first time this is done to protect interests of the government agencies. "Similar cover-ups were done in all the investigations that I have come across. I have raised this issue time and again with the ministry, aviation secretary and other agencies, but it fell on deaf ears all the time."

Earlier this week, Yeshwant Shenoy, a Mumbai-based lawyer and president of 812 Foundation, an organisation dedicated to the victims of 812 mishap, filed a private complaint before a Mangalore court questioning the role of AAI, AI and DGCA during the crash. Shenoy has demanded a reinvestigation of the case.

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Screen silence: Karnataka’s bold ‘switch-off’ strategy to boost SSLC scores

News Network

February 5,2026

In an era where digital distractions are the primary rival to academic excellence, the Karnataka Education Department is taking the fight directly to the living room. As the SSLC (Class 10) annual examinations loom, officials have launched a localized "digital strike" to ensure students aren't losing their competitive edge to scrolling or soap operas.

The 7-to-9 Lockdown

The department has issued a formal directive urging—and in some cases, enforcing via home visits—a total blackout of mobile phones and television sets between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. This two-hour window is being designated as "sacred study time" across the state until the examinations conclude on April 2.

Key Pillars of the Initiative:

• Doorstep Advocacy: Teachers are transitioning from classrooms to living rooms, meeting parents to explain the psychological benefits of a distraction-free environment.

• Parental Accountability: The campaign shifts the burden of discipline from the student to the household, asking parents to lead by example and switch off their own devices.

• The Timeline: The focus remains sharp on the upcoming exam block, scheduled from March 18 to April 2.

"The objective is simple: uninterrupted focus. We are reclaiming the evening hours for the students, ensuring their environment is as prepared as their minds," stated a senior department official.

Student vs. Reality

While the student community has largely welcomed the "forced focus"—with many admitting they lack the willpower to ignore notifications—the move has sparked a debate on enforceability. Without a "TV Police," the success of this initiative rests entirely on the shoulders of parents and the persuasive power of visiting educators.

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