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Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Infant was allowed to board after £1,000 bribe, now his family mourns his death

What began as a moment of relief soon turned into heartbreak for Manish Kamdar, who lost his daughter, grandson, and their relative in the Air India AI-171 crash. His 15-month-old grandson was nearly denied boarding due to a documentation issue, until £1,000 was paid at the airport immigration counter.

Saloni JhaUpdated: Jun 14, 2025, 14:10 IST
4 min read
Infant was allowed to board after £1,000 bribe, now his family mourns his death | Credit: Freepik

What should have been a routine airport check-in became a life-altering moment for Manish Kamdar. His 15-month-old grandson Rudra, daughter Yasha, and her mother-in-law Raxa Modha were among the 242 passengers on the ill-fated Air India AI-171 flight that crashed moments after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Infant’s boarding delay becomes a haunting memory

At the immigration counter, the officer questioned Rudra’s eligibility to board the flight. Though Yasha, who held an Indian passport, and Raxa, who had a British one, were eventually cleared, the officer demanded additional documentation for Rudra, who was also travelling on a British passport. The family did not have the necessary papers.

A hefty payment and a last-minute boarding

Kamdar revealed that the officer insisted on a payment of £1,000 to allow the toddler to board. Raxa paid the amount. The three of them were among the final passengers to board the London-bound flight. Kamdar now sits in silence, tormented by thoughts of what could have been if Rudra had not been allowed on board. He is devastated by the fact that a delay, a refusal, or a stricter officer might have spared their lives.

Tragic aftermath: All hope lost in 33 seconds

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed just 33 seconds after take-off, slamming into a residential area in Meghani Nagar near a doctors’ hostel. Rescue teams have since recovered more bodies, including one lodged in the aircraft's tail, bringing the death toll to over 260. The flight was carrying 242 people, including 169 Indians, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian, and 12 crew members.

Only one passenger survived, a British national named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A. The rest perished in the wreckage, which caused massive destruction on the ground.

From survival to unimaginable loss

Kamdar’s grief is endless. He is left questioning every moment of that airport interaction. Had the officer been more firm, had they been turned away, perhaps his daughter, grandson, and their family matriarch might still be alive. What seemed like a relief at the time, being allowed to board, became the very source of unimaginable loss.

First Published: Jun 14, 2025, 14:10 IST
Saloni Jha - Author At Indiatimes
Saloni Jha

I am your go-to girl for all things entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle. With three years of experience, I have got an eye for spotting trends that’ll leave you craving for more. Whether it’s the latest in fashion or the hottest celebrity gossip, I am is always on top of what’s next—and ready to spill all the tea in the most fun way possible. Keep following for more fun stuff!

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14/6/2025 14:34:59