Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was on the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad, believed that the number 1206 was a symbol of fortune.
For decades, 1206 had appeared in some of the most significant moments of Rupani’s career, from his entry into politics to his tenure as chief minister. The number featured on the plates of his vehicles, be it a scooter in his early days, or the official car of a Chief Minister.
However, 12/06/2025, also became the day of his death. He was en route to London to meet his wife and daughter. He never arrived. The crash occurred on 12/06.
Rupani served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from August 2016 to September 2021, before resigning ahead of the 2022 state elections.
Rupani is the second politician who served as the Gujarat CM who died in an air accident, sixty years after Balwantrai Mehta's death in a 1965 plane crash.
Photographs taken at his Rajkot residence showed parked vehicles, still bearing the same 1206 registration.
Those who knew Rupani remember his humility. "He was a tall neta, yes," said Sanjay Mehta, a neighbour told Times of India. "But he lived like one of us. Always kind. Always ready to help. You'd never know he held such a big position. To us, he was Vijaybhai - our neighbour, friend."
Gujarat BJP state president CR Patil called it a “great loss" for the party. “Our leader, former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, was also on that flight. Vijay Rupani died in this tragedy. May God grant peace to his soul. This is a great loss for the BJP family as well," Patil told News18.
According to Times of India, the former CM, had put off his visit to the UK from June 5 to 12, owing to Ludhiana West bypoll on June 19.
Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, departed Ahmedabad at 13:38 IST, carrying 242 people, including 10 crew members. According to the airline, the flight included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, 1 Canadian, and 7 Portuguese nationals.
Moments into its ascent, the aircraft began to lose altitude. Eyewitnesses captured video footage of the jet flying unusually low before crashing into a residential wing of a medical college. It struck a hostel block for doctors and students, punching through the dining hall.
Air India has set up Friends & Relatives Assistance Centres at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Gatwick airports Dedicated passenger hotline number for those calling from within India: 1800 5691 444; and those .calling from outside India: +91 8062779200.
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