The city of Ahmedabad witnessed an emotional farewell on June 16 as Anjali Rupani, the wife of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, performed the last rites of her husband, who tragically lost his life in the Air India Flight 171 crash last week.
#WATCH | Ahmedabad | Former CM Vijay Rupani's wife, Anjali Rupani, bids an emotional farewell to her husband pic.twitter.com/5FkneNWKG4
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2025
Vijay Rupani was among the 241 passengers and crew on board the ill-fated London-bound flight, which crashed moments after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft plummeted into the premises of BJ Medical College, causing widespread devastation in the Meghaninagar area. The crash not only took the lives of all those aboard but also claimed 29 lives on the ground, including five young MBBS students.
#WATCH | Ahmedabad | Mortal remains of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani will be taken to Rajkot from here pic.twitter.com/oplqzXmm41
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2025
Speaking to ANI, his son Rushabh Rupani and son-in-law Nimit Mishra expressed their heartfelt gratitude to all who supported them during this difficult time.
” This is a sad time not just for our family but also for the other 270 families. I thank the Police, Aarogya staff, Civil Defence, Fire Services and RSS workers for their rescue efforts during this incident, which are praiseworthy. I also express gratitude to PM Modi, CM Bhupendra Patel and other leaders for supporting and standing with not just our family, but also all other families,” said Rushabh Rupani.
#WATCH | Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel lays a wreath as he pays last respects to former CM Vijay Rupani, who died in Air India plane crash pic.twitter.com/yJLvMrZxJ9
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2025
Rushabh also highlighted the widespread impact of Vijay Rupani’s political career spanning over five decades. He added, “My father touched many lives during the 50-55 years of his political life. Today, all those people are standing by us. Many party workers from Punjab are also coming here to express their condolences…”
Nimit Mishra, son-in-law of the former CM, said the family was overwhelmed by grief and found it difficult to process the loss. “These are extremely tragic times, not just for us but for everyone who has lost a loved one. We are finding it extremely difficult these days. We are expressing overwhelming grief and agony. I would like to thank all those who have supported us…” Mishra told ANI.
He added, “We, as a family, would like to mention that we are thinking of each person who has lost a loved one and would like to share your pain and grief. I would like to thank the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, the CM, and state officials who have shared our pain.”
Former CM Vijay Rupani’s Personal Secretary, Shailesh Mandalia, broke down while remembering him. Visuals from Rupani’s home in Gandhinagar. Meanwhile, the ‘agni sanskar’ of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will take place this evening at the Ramnathpara crematorium in Rajkot, with the funeral procession set to start from his residence at 5 pm.
Rupani’s mortal remains were being transported from Ahmedabad to Rajkot by air. According to officials, the body was received from the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital mortuary at around 11:30 am and reached Rajkot by 2 pm.
