In a heartbreaking incident on June 15, a privately operated Bell 407 helicopter carrying five pilgrims, a toddler, and the pilot crashed near Gaurikund on the Kedarnath route in Uttarakhand. The chopper caught fire upon impact amid dense cloud cover and fog, resulting in all seven occupants being charred beyond recognition .

Uttarakhand police have registered an FIR against Aryan Aviation and its executives under the Indian Penal Code’s culpable homicide provisions. The action follows concerns that the flight took off despite hazardous weather conditions, indicating gross negligence . The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is spearheading the investigation, with additional scrutiny from DGCA and the Civil Aviation Ministry, which has suspended Aryan Aviation’s operations pending findings.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that Prime Minister Modi, while abroad, is being kept informed. The government has also suspended all helicopter services linked to the Char Dham pilgrimage until further notice . Dhami has ordered a high-level probe and enforcement of stricter safety protocols, including only twin-engine helicopters and enhanced pre-flight assessments in the mountainous terrain .