Air India Crash: A 'lucky' number that followed Vijay Rupani all his life also haunted his end

For former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, the number 1206 wasn’t just digits—it was a quiet symbol of luck, a number that accompanied him through life, reported TOI.

Every vehicle he owned, whether scooter or car, bore the number. Friends say he believed in it deeply; it was his constant charm. But fate dealt a cruel irony. On June 12 (12/06)—the very number he held close—Rupani’s life came to a tragic end.

He was aboard Air India flight AI171 that crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad. He had been headed to London to visit his wife and daughter. He never made it.


Rupani, who was serving as BJP’s Punjab in-charge, had originally planned to travel to the UK on June 5.

"This is very unfortunate. This is how destiny and fate play out that he came into harm's way. He was to leave along with his wife on June 5, but rescheduled his visit to campaign for Ludhiana West bypoll," Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar told TOI.

A city mourns its neighbour

In Rajkot, the city he once led and always loved, the news landed like a pall of grief. Rupani wasn’t just a politician there—he was a neighbour, a familiar face who made time for people, who listened more than he spoke.

Though Rupani helped bring transformative projects like AIIMS and Rajkot’s new airport, what people remembered most was his simplicity and accessibility.

"He was a tall neta, yes,” Sanjay Mehta, a neighbour told TOI. “"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.”

Condolences poured in from leaders across party lines. Rescue teams later confirmed his name among the deceased.

Rupani’s nephew, Mehul Rupani, told TOI the family was shattered by the loss. "The family is devastated to know about the sad demise of uncle. “Anjali aunty (Rupani's wife) and her daughter are returning from London, as are other relatives from the US. We will follow the processes as advised by govt to take custody of his mortal remains. Family is in shock.”

Meanwhile, his personal assistant, Shailesh Mandaliya, who dropped him off at the airport, recalled the moment: "Few minutes after dropping him, we heard the news.”