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Air India plane crash probe: Captain RS Sandhu appointed domain expert
Sandhu, who was also a designated examiner for the Boeing 787-8 fleet at Air India, had taken delivery of the now-crashed 787-8 plane—VT-ANB—in 2013.
Air India flight AI171, which crashed minutes after take-off on June 12, killed 260 people — 241 on board and 19 on the ground.
'AAIB has onboarded seasoned aviator RS Sandhu in the ongoing investigation of the Air India Boeing 787-8 plane crash in Ahmedabad last month,' one of the sources told PTI.
Sandhu, who was with Air India for nearly 39 years in various capacities, is the founder of aviation consultancy firm Aviazione. He had also headed a team that worked on the integration of the Tata group airlines.
The investigation of the plane crash has come under controversy after The Wall Street Journal reported that their source had heard the audio recording recovered from the plane, in which the junior pilot can be heard asking the senior pilot about switching off the fuel supply.
Notably, the preliminary findings of the investigation have suggested that the plane crashed due to an issue with the fuel supply switch.
Following the reports, pilots have raised concerns over the issue, and later Air India clarified that the fuel switches of all their Boeing Dreamliner aircraft—the same model involved in the Ahmedabad plane crash—are functioning properly.
The aircraft manufacturer Boeing has also come under the radar of the controversy, and a 2024 report has resurfaced after the crash, in which a deceased whistleblower—a former Boeing employee—warned that the manufacturing facility of the Dreamliner 787 was plagued by 'shoddy work practices and poor oversight.' [ With inputs from PTI ]
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Business Standard
16 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Earn Rs 5-10 lakh/month? You may get PR in Italy, Greece, Grenada
Do you earn Rs 5–10 lakh a month, or are you willing to invest a few thousand dollars in a startup or a hotel—or perhaps just buy an apartment? If your wallet can afford it, several countries may be willing to let you settle there for the long term, and in some cases, as a permanent resident. According to Andrew Boiko, founder of global immigration firm options for the 'comfortably wealthy' include France, Italy, Greece and Grenada. 'The choice is obvious. You can buy an apartment in Gurugram, but that won't allow you to live in Italy, for example. But if you buy an apartment of the same cost in Italy, you can live there or anywhere else in Europe along with easy access to so many other countries,' Boiko told news agency PTI. recently opened its India office in New Delhi and says it received over 4,000 requests from prospective Indian clients within the first three months. The consultancy told Business Standard last week that it plans to expand to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai by the end of 2025. Why Indians are looking abroad 'Indians are very pragmatic. They don't want to pay a donation for nothing. They want the money back. They also want a return on their investment,' Boiko told PTI. This is where financial independence and investment-based residency programmes appeal to Indians planning to relocate. Earlier he told Business Standard that over the past few years, they have seen a rise in inquiries from Indian high-net-worth individuals seeking legal and structured pathways to global mobility. "This trend has intensified recently due to new US immigration policies under Donald Trump and an increase in deportation cases,' said Boiko. Many of these individuals are now looking at investment-based citizenship or residency options that allow visa-free travel, family inclusion and more flexible business opportunities. What is a financial independence visa? Under this programme, a person needs to show a steady income beyond a certain threshold to be granted residency. This can then be converted to citizenship after a few years, depending on the country's laws. In Europe and the Caribbean, most countries offer long-term residency or even citizenship if certain investment or income thresholds are met. In the Middle East, long-term residency (up to 10 years) is more common, usually in exchange for a fixed donation or investment. According to Boiko, those applying under this route must typically demonstrate a stable income of €5,000 to €10,000 per month (roughly Rs 5–10 lakh). Why Grenada is emerging as a top option Grenada, a small island nation in the Caribbean, is considered one of the safest places in the world and offers visa-free travel to countries across Europe, the UK, Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore and the UAE. Grenadian citizenship also provides easy access to the US. 'In the Caribbean, even the most affordable options like Grenada require a minimum investment of $235,000 through a donation to the National Transformation Fund,' Boiko said. Alternatively, a real estate investment of at least $270,000 in a government-approved project also qualifies. 'These are premium offerings for affluent individuals. The benefits go beyond residency—they offer tax advantages, access to healthcare and education, and often a backup plan in an increasingly uncertain world,' he told Business Standard. However, Rahim Lakhani, CEO of TLG Global, told Business Standard, "These programmes lack Schengen benefits and are facing growing scrutiny. EU residency options like Latvia's offer more stability than non-EU citizenship programmes." He added that the EU has pressured Caribbean nations to raise investment thresholds and tighten due diligence to prevent misuse. Golden visas and what they offer Boiko explained that golden visas are generally quick ways to obtain residency, which can eventually lead to citizenship in certain countries. 'Some of the countries, like European golden visas, allow you to get citizenship in five to ten years,' he said. 'On the other hand, in the Middle East, you are unable to get citizenship in most cases. You can only have residency, but that can be for up to ten years.' While residency allows one to live, work or study in a country with family, only citizenship unlocks full benefits. However, European golden visas often provide visa-free access to the rest of Europe and some parts of Latin America and North America. It also makes it easier to secure visas for the UK, Australia or the US, Boiko added. He said countries benefit too. Their businesses gain from foreign investment in property, companies, banks or bonds. 'It's like mutual beneficial cooperation,' he said. Examples of available programmes include: Portugal: minimum investment in innovation or cultural funds, moving away from real estate Greece: €250,000 investment in real estate Spain: €500,000 investment in property Other countries offering residency options are Italy, France, Hungary, and Latvia, with varying qualifying routes such as investment funds, business creation, or real estate purchase. Vinay Kumar, Head of Estate and Succession Planning at Client Associates, told Business Standard, "For instance, Greece offers residency permits for real estate investments starting at €250,000, and Portugal provides residency through investments in funds or job creation initiatives. These programmes grant residency rights, which can lead to citizenship over time, subject to meeting specific criteria." Some countries offer a 'golden passport' Several countries, including Malta and those in the Caribbean, also offer citizenship in a short span of time, sometimes as quickly as six to eight months. However, in April the European Court of Justice ruled that Malta's citizenship-by-investment scheme was in breach of EU law. But Boiko cautioned that the terms 'golden visa' and 'golden passport' can vary across countries. In Portugal, for example, applicants may need to establish or invest in a company and create jobs, while in the UAE, visa eligibility can be tied to employment and salary levels. Which countries and routes are most popular? Boiko said that income-based residency remains the top choice for Indians. If someone has a steady income of more than €5,000 a month for six months to a year, they can qualify for residency in several countries. In France and Spain, permanent residency is granted after five years and citizenship after six or seven years. Italy offers a more flexible option. Its golden visa programme allows investors to redeem their investment after two years. 'When you invest in Italy, you get a residency within two to three months. Permanent residency follows after five years,' Boiko said. 'After ten years, you can get citizenship—and the Italian passport is one of the most powerful in the world.' He added that properties in Italy can also appreciate in value. 'If you want, you can sell your property in Italy with good returns after two years and then buy one in Gurugram,' he told PTI. Countries, for their part, conduct thorough due diligence before granting residency or citizenship. Some even require applicants to pass language tests. Boiko said this isn't just about fees, but about attracting people who will actively contribute to the economy.
News18
24 minutes ago
- News18
India becomes Malaysias top oil palm seed buyer as domestic cultivation expands
Last Updated: Kuala Lumpur, Jul 21 (PTI) India has emerged as Malaysia's largest importer of germinated oil palm seeds, with demand surging as the country accelerates efforts to boost domestic palm oil production and reduce import dependency. India imported 3.03 million tonnes of palm oil from Malaysia in 2024, representing 17.9 per cent of Malaysia's total palm oil exports and making it the top destination for Malaysian palm oil. 'There has been a noticeable increase in demand for Malaysian oil palm seeds, particularly from India," Malaysian Palm Oil Board Director General Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir told PTI, citing India's push to expand domestic production. India aims to rapidly expand palm oil cultivation to 1 million hectares by 2025-26 and achieve nearly 2.8 million tonnes of crude palm oil production by 2029-30 under its National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm scheme. The country currently has about 370,000 hectares under palm oil cultivation as of mid-2025, focusing particularly on northeastern states and island regions. The seed trade, however, remains largely informal, with supplies conducted on an ad hoc basis through one-off consignments without formal contracts or long-term agreements, Kadir noted. The development comes even as Malaysia's palm oil exports to India have moderated following New Delhi's recent reduction in tariffs on crude palm oil. Kadir said India's tariff adjustments are part of broader policy measures to manage domestic supply and keep cooking oil prices affordable for consumers. 'While Malaysia has seen some moderation in export volumes to India, we remain a key and reliable supplier, and the Indian market continues to be a priority," he said. Malaysia is engaging stakeholders to strengthen its position in food manufacturing and hospitality segments where demand remains strong, while promoting sustainable palm oil certified under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil standard. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board has developed new high-yield varieties through breeding programs that can potentially produce over 30 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches per hectare annually, nearly double Malaysia's national average of 15.47-16.73 tonnes recorded between 2020-2023. The improved varieties also have slower height growth, extending economic lifespan from 25 years to over 30 years while facilitating harvesting operations. Current Malaysian commercial seeds are suitable for cultivation in India with proper farming practices and adequate irrigation, Kadir said, noting the materials have performed well under tropical conditions similar to many Indian regions with sufficient rainfall. Research efforts are underway to develop climate-resilient varieties with improved drought tolerance, though none have been commercially released yet, he added. PTI LUX DR DR view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 13:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
24 minutes ago
- News18
7/11 Mumbai train blasts: Details of 12 accused acquitted by HC
Mumbai, Jul 21 (PTI) Twelve persons, arrested in 2006 for their involvement in the July 11, 2006 serial train blasts case, were acquitted by the Bombay High Court on Monday. The prosecution had claimed the accused were members of the banned Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Following is a list of the accused who were convicted and on death row: 1) Kamal Ahmed Ansari: Died in 2021 pending hearing of the appeal at the age of 50. Ansari was a resident of Madhubani district in Bihar and was accused of receiving arms training in Pakistan. He was also accused of planting the bomb that exploded at Matunga. 2) Mohammed Faisal Rahman Shaikh: The 50-year-old accused from Mira Road in neighbouring Thane district was accused of being one of the main conspirators. As per prosecution, he had obtained money from Pakistan, assembled bombs and planted one of them in a train. 3) Ehtesham Siddiqui: Aged 42, Siddiqui was accused of carrying out a recce of the trains and planting the bomb that went off at Mira-Bhayandar. 4) Naveed Hussain Khan Rasheed: Aged 44, Rasheed, a call centre employee at the time, was accused of assembling bombs and planting one that exploded in a train at Bandra. He was a resident of Secunderabad and was arrested from there. 5) Asif Khan Bashir Khan: The 52-year-old was accused of helping assemble the bombs and planting one that exploded at Borivali. A civil engineer, Khan was a resident of Jalgaon and accused to be a key member of SIMI. 2) Mohammed Shafi: Aged 46, Shafi was accused of running a hawala racket and procuring money from Pakistan for the blasts. 3) Shaikh Mohammed Ali Alam: The 55-year-old was charged with assembling bombs at his house in suburban Govandi with the help of Pakistanis who had sneaked into India. He was also accused of being a member of SIMI. 4) Mohammed Sajid Ansari: The 47-year-old resident of Mira Road was accused of procuring timers for the bombs and helping assemble them. He was also accused of harbouring two Pakistani nationals. 5) Muzammil Rahman Shaikh: The 40-year-old youngest accused in the case, a software engineer, was accused of getting trained in Pakistan and also conducting recce of the local trains. His brothers — Faisal and Raahil — are also accused in the case but were never caught. They were allegedly the main planners of the conspiracy. 6) Suhail Mehmood Shaikh: Aged 55, Shaikh was accused of having taken arms training in Pakistan and also carrying out a recce of the trains to be targeted. 7) Zameer Rehman Shaikh: The 50-year-old was accused of attending conspiracy meetings and also receiving training in Pakistan. PTI SP GK view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 13:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
