Mangalore, December 15: Nineteen months after the horrific crash of Air India Boeing IX 812, which resulted in the death of 158 passengers, the legal counsel for Air India - Mulla & Mulla - Mumbai, has settled 89 cases, seven of them partially, as on date.
Kapil Aseri, chief finance officer, Air India, said a total of 82 cases have been settled on full and final basis and seven in part for an overall amount of Rs 66.92 crore, including the survivors. In the last three days, 11 claims were settled.
Advocate and solicitor Hoshang D Nanavati from Mulla & Mulla, told TOI the compensation claim process will commence after the Supreme Court proceedings in the first week of January next year. Abdul Salaam, father Mohammed Rafi (24) who perished in the crash, has approached the Apex court after a division bench of the Kerala High Court in August this year, allowed Air India's appeal and the set aside the order of the single judge holding that a minimum of one lakh Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) would be payable in respect of the death of each passenger.
Regarding the status of victims' families who have engaged the services of Swedish law firm, Nanavati said: ``It is not professional to deal with the cases until and unless they (foreign law firm) cease to act in the matter. It is for the claimant to decide. When we are satisfied (with proof) that they have withdrawn, we will commence claim settlement process. A mere affidavit from claimant will not do.''
Barring the families who have approached the foreign firm, there are about 25 families who are awaiting the Apex Court's verdict on this matter. Salaam's contention is that one lakh SDR (roughly about Rs 75 lakh at present exchange value) is the minimum. Air India Express observer R P Shahi, the former joint director general of Civil Aviation, said that the feedback from the families was they were satisfied with the process.
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