Who Is Vijay Rupani? And His Connection to Today’s Air India Crash
🧑💼 Profile of Vijay Rupani
Born on August 2, 1956, in Rangoon (now Yangon), Myanmar, Vijay Rupani moved to Rajkot in 1960. He graduated with degrees in Arts and Law, and began his political journey as an ABVP and RSS activist 1. Rising through the ranks, he joined the BJP, served as Mayor of Rajkot (1996–97), Rajya Sabha MP (2006–12), Gujarat Minister, State BJP President, and ultimately became the 16th Chief Minister of Gujarat (2016–2021) 2.
✈️ Air Travel and VIP Aircraft
During his term as CM, the Gujarat government procured a dedicated VIP aircraft worth around ₹191 crore—a Bombardier Challenger 650—for ministers including Rupani. The move was defended citing safety and long-range travel needs 3. Earlier, one of his official helicopters even made an emergency landing due to an engine issue in 2017 4.
🔗 Connection to Air India Crash AI‑171
On June 12, 2025, Flight AI‑171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed minutes after takeoff. Multiple news sources report that former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was onboard, though this remains unconfirmed by officials 5.
The flight carried a total of 242 people. The reported presence of Rupani heightened public concern, though details of his status have not been announced by authorities 6.
🛡️ Why This Matters
- His rumored presence highlights the importance of verifying high-profile passenger lists before concluding.
- Emergency response plans for VIPs can impact rescue priorities and protocols.
- If confirmed, family involvement, political impact, and diplomatic coordination may follow.
🔍 What’s Next
- 🚁 Official confirmation on Rupani’s presence and condition from government or Air India.
- Detailed passenger manifest release by DGCA.
- Coverage of how his status may shape public attention and investigation efforts.
Stay tuned for further updates as official confirmations emerge.
