Gujarat ex-CM Vijay Rupani's remains identified after plane crash
NEW DELHI: The DNA of former Gujarat chief minister
has been matched with remains recovered from the wreckage of Air India Flight AI171, which crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday.
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Gujarat health minister Rushikesh Patel confirmed the development on Sunday, saying the authorities were in contact with the Rupani family to facilitate the handover of the mortal remains.
'The DNA matching of Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister, is complete. We will coordinate with the family to take the body to Rajkot,' he told reporters.
Rupani was among the 242 people on board the London-bound flight, which went down shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
His son had arrived in Ahmedabad on Saturday to provide a blood sample for the DNA identification process, which was being conducted at BJ Medical College.
Rajkot observes shutdown for Rupani
The city of Rajkot in Gujarat observed a half-day shutdown on Saturday to pay tribute to Rupani.
Rupani, a senior BJP leader and native of Rajkot, served as Gujarat's chief minister from 2016 to 2021.
He was also twice elected as MLA from the Rajkot West constituency, having started his political journey as a party worker before becoming councillor and mayor.
At the time of his death, he was serving as the BJP's in-charge for Punjab.
In a show of collective mourning, the Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry had appealed on Friday for shops and commercial establishments to remain closed until Saturday afternoon.
The call was widely honoured, with markets shut and nearly 600 private and grant-in-aid schools remaining closed during the morning hours.
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