For ex-CM Vijay Rupani, 1206 was a lucky number, but June 12 turned fatal for him

Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani (68) was among the 241 passengers who lost their lives in the AI 171 plane crash in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar on Thursday afternoon.

The plane crashed into the B J Medical boys' hostel, soon after taking off at 1.38 pm.

Fateful coincidence

Notably, the date of his demise—12/06/2025—coincided with Rupani’s favourite number, 1206. He had chosen 1206 as the number for all his vehicles, including his car and two-wheeler. Coincidentally, his death occurred on June 12. 

On Friday, the BJP leader's wife Anjali met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PM, along with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, and Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi offered condolences to her.

Anjali flew from London and reached Ahmedabad this morning.

A vacation with wife in London

BJP leaders and family friends to the Rupanis – Nitin Bhardwaj and Dhansukh Bhanderi from Rajkot – had arrived in London two days earlier. Rupani was scheduled to join them on Thursday and stay in London for 22 days as part of a pre-planned vacation. 

According to his air ticket details, the scheduled departure time was 1.10 pm, but the flight was delayed by 28 minutes. It was expected to reach London at 6.14 pm. Rupani had arrived at the airport at 11.30 am, completed the check-in, and boarded the flight at 12.30 pm. He was seated in seat number 2-D. Rupani’s residence is located in Rajkot, near Saurashtra Kalakendra on Nirmala Road, in Prakash Society, Street No. 4. The house is named after his late son, Pujit.