A tragic helicopter crash near Kedarnath on June 15, 2025, has resulted in legal action against managers of Aryan Aviation, the operator of the aircraft. The crash, which claimed the lives of all seven people on board, including the pilot, five adults, and one infant, has prompted a swift response from aviation authorities and the Uttarakhand state government.

Following the incident, an FIR (First Information Report) has been registered against Kaushik Pathak, the Accountable Manager, and Vikas Tomar, a Manager at Aryan Aviation. The FIR alleges that the officials violated safety regulations by operating the helicopter despite adverse weather conditions. According to the FIR, Aryan Aviation had been allotted a slot from 6 AM to 7 AM for its service, but the helicopter took off at 5:30 AM. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) stipulate that weather conditions must be checked before takeoff, and the FIR asserts that the managers were aware of the poor visibility and fog in the area but proceeded regardless.

The legal action is based on the allegation that Aryan Aviation, along with managers Vikas Tomar and Kaushik Pathak, were fully aware that ignoring the SOP could lead to loss of life and property. The FIR states that their actions constitute gross negligence, making them responsible for the death of the seven individuals. The case has been registered under BNS section 105, which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and section 10 of the Aircraft Act, 1934, which outlines penalties for violating the act's rules. The Sonprayag Police station in Rudraprayag district is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has suspended Aryan Aviation's Char Dham Yatra operations. Additionally, the licenses of two pilots from Aryan Aviation and TransBharat have been suspended for six months for reportedly flying in unsafe weather conditions previously. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a detailed inquiry into the crash, which will involve analyzing flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders, maintenance records, and personnel qualifications. Preliminary investigations suggest that the crash may have been a case of Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT), where the aircraft unintentionally flew into obstacles due to poor visibility and mountainous conditions.

The Uttarakhand government, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, held an emergency meeting to address the situation. The meeting included senior state officials, representatives from the DGCA, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The government has emphasized that aviation safety is non-negotiable and has instructed the DGCA to enforce all existing regulations strictly, ensuring complete discipline in flying operations, especially in high-risk areas like the Kedarnath valley.

This recent crash marks the fifth helicopter accident in the Kedarnath-Char Dham region since early May, raising serious concerns about the safety of aerial travel in the area. Previous incidents include a hard landing on June 7, a tail-rotor failure on May 17, and a crash in Uttarkashi on May 8 that resulted in six fatalities. These repeated incidents have prompted calls for a reassessment of safety protocols, including the permanent suspension of flights in poor weather conditions, the implementation of new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for high-altitude helicopter operations, and the requirement for pilots to have specific experience in Himalayan flying.

Legal experts suggest that Aryan Aviation could face lawsuits for negligence, with victims' families potentially claiming damages under the Aircraft Act and tort law. Compensation claims could exceed ₹1 crore per life lost, considering lost income and punitive penalties. There is also the possibility of class-action lawsuits against both the operator and the regulator, questioning the lack of monitoring and seeking a court review of the DGCA's compliance protocols. The incident has intensified scrutiny over procedural failures and triggered calls for stricter hiring and training norms for pilots operating in mountainous regions. The upcoming AAIB report and actions by the DGCA are expected to determine the full extent of legal and regulatory consequences, potentially leading to pilots' license reviews, SOP updates, and judicial interventions focused on passenger safety.