Former Gujarat CM had cancelled two earlier flights; seat 12D on June 12 became his final journey
Ahmedabad: Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the 241 people who lost their lives in the Air India Dreamliner AI171 crash near BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad. His flight took off at 12:10 PM for London and crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff, killing nearly everyone on board and several students in the hostel building where the aircraft fell.
Only one passenger, seated in 11A, miraculously survived. The rest, including Vijay Rupani (seat 12D), perished in the horrific tragedy.
Not His First Flight, A Journey He Postponed Twice
According to national media reports, Vijay Rupani had originally planned to fly to London on May 19 to visit his wife Anjali and daughter. He had booked a round trip — departure on May 19, return on June 25. However, he cancelled that ticket due to personal and scheduling conflicts.
He later rebooked his travel for June 5, but again cancelled it at the last minute. Finally, he chose to fly out on June 12, the date that held personal significance for him.
A Lucky Number Turns Tragic: The Mystery of 1206
The date 12/06 (June 12) was not just another date for Vijay Rupani, it was his lucky number: 1206. From the very beginning of his political career, Rupani associated this number with good fortune.
All his vehicles, including his first scooter, had registration numbers ending in 1206.
Even as Chief Minister, his official car carried the same digits.
Ironically, he died on 12-06, seated in seat number 12D. According to airport sources, his boarding time was 12:10 PM, again echoing the number 12.
Crash Timeline: Seconds of Horror
Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad Airport at 12:10 PM. Within just 32 seconds, the aircraft crashed into the BJ Medical College UG Hostel in Meghani Nagar, resulting in a massive explosion and devastating fire.
The crash not only killed passengers but also several MBBS students who were present in the hostel mess area at that time.
"A fireball erupted, engulfing nearby buildings. The impact of the fuel blast was so intense, it shattered windows of adjoining blocks,” said a fire official.
Fate’s Final Call: A Journey That Was Never Meant to Be?
Many are calling Vijay Rupani’s death a tragic irony, given his deep belief in the number 1206. What was once a symbol of success throughout his career, from political milestones to vehicle registrations, became the final timestamp of his life.
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