Aryan Aviation officials face legal action after a deadly crash claimed seven lives in Kedarnath
Authorities have filed criminal charges against officials of Aryan Aviation after a tragic helicopter crash in India’s Kedarnath region claimed the lives of seven people on Sunday. The Bell 407 chopper, operated by Aryan Aviation, went down shortly after take-off amid treacherous weather conditions.
Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Aryan Aviation’s Accountable Manager, Kaushik Patha,k and Manager Vikas Tomar. The officials now face charges under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 10 of the Aircraft Act.
The disaster unfolded around 5:20 a.m., moments after the helicopter lifted off from Kedarnath Dham, headed for Guptkashi. The aircraft crashed near Gaurikund, killing all seven on board — five passengers, one infant, and the lone crew member.
In response to the tragedy, Aryan Aviation’s operations for the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage were immediately suspended. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also ordered a halt to all charter and shuttle helicopter flights in the region for 15 and 16 June as a precautionary measure.
Initial investigations point to poor weather as the primary factor behind the crash. Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Dhami said the helicopter likely collided with terrain during heavy cloud cover and low visibility — a scenario aviation experts refer to as Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). A government statement supported this assessment, suggesting the pilot may have flown into a mountain or the ground while still in control of the aircraft.
Sadly, this latest crash adds to a grim series of aviation incidents in the Kedarnath region. Since the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage season commenced on 30 April, this marks the fifth helicopter-related accident in the area.
Only days earlier, another helicopter operating near Kedarnath Valley was forced to make an emergency landing on a highway after suffering a technical fault shortly after take-off. Although the pilot sustained injuries, all passengers escaped serious harm.
The dangers of flying in Uttarakhand’s mountainous terrain have long been known. Helicopter operations face constant challenges from rapidly changing weather, strong winds, and unpredictable visibility, particularly during the busy pilgrimage season when thousands of devotees travel to the sacred Char Dham sites.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally reached out to Chief Minister Dhami following the tragedy, expressing condolences and closely monitoring the situation. “The loss of lives in the Kedarnath helicopter crash is deeply saddening,” Modi stated. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief.”
The aviation regulator has launched a full inquiry into the incident. Experts will scrutinise flight data, maintenance records, and weather reports in an effort to pinpoint the exact cause and prevent future disasters.
In a separate statement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that Aryan Aviation’s Char Dham operations would remain suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Kedarnath pilgrimage, one of Hinduism’s most revered journeys, attracts thousands annually who brave extreme conditions to reach the high-altitude shrine. However, the increasing reliance on helicopter services has sparked growing concern over safety standards amid mounting pressure to meet soaring demand.
Earlier this year, a similar crash in Uttarkashi district claimed six lives, including the pilot. In that incident, only one person survived, raising further alarm about the dangers faced by operators and passengers alike.
As rescue teams retrieved the wreckage from Sunday’s crash site, authorities vowed to hold those responsible accountable while promising sweeping reforms to improve aviation safety in the fragile Himalayan region
