Updates: Ex Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's Funeral With Full State Honours Today
Ahmedabad Plane Crash Updates: Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was on the Air India flight 171, belonging to Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 fleet, which crashed on Thursday afternoon within seconds after take-off. 242 passengers and crew members were on board the flight en route to London from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Everyone, except a British-national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was charred to death as the airplane crashed into the hostel building of the BJ Medical College, sending plumes of thick black smoke in the air. Vijay Rupani was flying to London to meet his wife and daughter.
Three days after the Air India plane crash, Mr Rupani's body was identified on Sunday. DNA samples are being used to identify the bodies. Mr Rupani's funeral will be held in Rajkot today with full state honours. A one-day state mourning in memory of the BJP leader will be observed.
Here are the Live Updates:
Jun 16, 2025 07:56 (IST)
'1206' Was Ex Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's 'Lucky' Number, Until It Wasn't
The number '1206' was never just a number for former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani. It was a constant across the decades of his public and private life. It featured on the number plates of his vehicles, be it a scooter in his early days, or the official car of a Chief Minister. For the long-serving BJP leader, '1206' stood for good fortune. Until it didn't.
On June 12, 2025, that number, in a cruel twist of fate, became the day of his death.
Vijay Rupani Seen In Instagram Video At Airport Moments Before Air India Crash
A video filmed by two British nationals at Ahmedabad airport captured the last known visuals of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, minutes before all of them were killed in a London-bound Air India plane crash on Thursday.
A clip posted by London-based yoga coach Jamie Meek and his partner Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek shows them seated at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and sharing their experiences during the India visit, when the senior BJP leader passes by. Dressed in a navy-blue Nehru jacket, Mr Rupani is seen talking over the phone as he walks through the departure lounge.
"Hard To Believe": Amit Shah On Death Of Vijay Rupani, Extends condolences
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, calling it "hard to believe." In a post on X, Amit Shah wrote, "I worked for a long time in the organisation with former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani ji. Whether it was strengthening the organisation as the state president or keeping Gujarat's development journey moving as the Chief Minister, Vijaybhai fulfilled every responsibility with full responsibility. It is difficult to believe that he is no longer amongst us."
ગુજરાતના પૂર્વ મુખ્યમંત્રી વિજયભાઈ રૂપાણીજી સાથે સંગઠનમાં લાંબા સમય સુધી કામ કર્યું. પ્રદેશ પ્રમુખ તરીકે સંગઠનને મજબુત બનાવવું હોય કે પછી મુખ્યમંત્રી તરીકે ગુજરાતની વિકાસયાત્રાને ગતિશીલ રાખવામાં વિજયભાઈએ દરેક જવાબદારી પૂરી નિષ્ઠાથી નિભાવી. વિશ્વાસ જ નથી થઈ રહ્યો કે વિજયભાઈ હવે… pic.twitter.com/Urz2UGp1CS
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 13, 2025
Mr Shah remembered Mr Rupani as a dedicated leader who always worked with discipline and commitment toward the growth of the party and the state.
Mr Shah, who worked closely with Mr Rupani during this period, highlighted his disciplined work ethic and loyalty to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"Calm and thoughtful by nature, Rupani ji's loyalty and discipline towards the organisation were amazing," Mr Shah said in his tribute.
Vijay Rupani Cancelled London Ticket Twice, June 12 Was Not His 1st Choice
Former Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, was among the 242 people on board the doomed Air India 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. Only one survived, and 241 people died, including the former Chief Minister. But, flying to London on June 12 to meet his wife and daughter was not Mr Rupani's first choice.
The former chief minister first booked his ticket for May 19 on flight AI171 and intended to fly back to India on June 25. With a change in plans, Mr Rupani cancelled his ticket for May 19 and decided to fly on June 5.
There was another change. The former Chief Minister cancelled his second ticket too and booked seat number 2D on flight AI 171 for June 12, which crashed in less than a minute after taking off.
Jun 16, 2025 06:45 (IST)
Vijay Rupani's Funeral With Full State Honours, State Mourning For A Day
The state funeral of former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, who was killed in the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, will be held today with full state honours. A one-day state mourning in memory of the BJP leader will be observed.
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