In a heart-wrenching development following the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the Gujarat government on June 15 confirmed that former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the 241 people killed in the disaster. The confirmation came after a DNA report, issued at 11:10 am, matched the remains found at the crash site with those of Rupani.
The news was officially shared by Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who stated that Rupani’s body has since been handed over to his family. His last rites will be performed in Rajkot, his home city, with full state support.
Senior officials from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel were present at Ahmedabad’s civil hospital to oversee the formal identification process and facilitate the transfer of the mortal remains.
“Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel personally visited the residence of the former CM to share the confirmation with his family,” said Rushikesh Patel while addressing the media. “He assured them that the state government will provide all necessary assistance for the final rites. The family will decide the timing for taking over and transporting his remains to Rajkot.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Gujarat a day after the crash, had also visited Rupani’s family to offer condolences and extend support during this time of profound grief.
Nation Mourns a Leader
Vijay Rupani, a veteran BJP leader and a prominent figure in Gujarat politics, was among the passengers on Air India Flight 171, which was en route to London when it crashed just seconds after takeoff on Thursday afternoon.
Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft lost altitude rapidly before crashing into a building inside the BJ Medical College campus in Meghaninagar, located barely a kilometre from the runway. The devastating impact triggered a massive fireball, reducing parts of the hostel building to rubble and killing several people on the ground, including MBBS students staying in the campus accommodation.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have confirmed that the black box of the aircraft has been recovered, and analysis is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash. Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India are working in coordination to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
Of the 241 passengers on board, a British national was the sole survivor, who was rescued with critical injuries and is currently under medical care. The process of identifying victims has been ongoing since the day of the incident, with many requiring DNA-based identification due to the severity of the burns and trauma.
Outpouring of Grief
As news of Rupani’s confirmed death spread, messages of condolence poured in from across the political spectrum. Union ministers, BJP leaders, and former colleagues expressed shock over the tragic loss. His tenure as chief minister between 2016 and 2021 saw several key administrative reforms, and he remained a respected figure in the BJP’s national leadership circle.
The Gujarat government has declared a day of mourning, and flags at government buildings will fly at half-mast across the state.
As preparations begin for the final rites in Rajkot, Gujarat bids farewell not just to a former chief minister, but to a leader whose legacy now also becomes part of a national tragedy.
