- Former chief minister’s last rites will be held in Rajkot with state honours tomorrow
- Rupani’s remains will be kept at his house for about an hour before being taken for a funeral in the evening in a procession
NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, JUNE 15
Following the death of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani in the Air India plane crash, Gujarat declared a one-day state mourning on Monday, June 16. The last rites of the former CM will be held in Rajkot.
As a mark of respect, the national flag will be flown at half-mast across the state, and no official entertainment will be held that day.
Rupani’s last rites will take place in Rajkot on Monday evening with full state honours. According to an official government notification issued by the Chief Secretary, the directives have been conveyed to all concerned authorities, including the Police Wireless Station in Gandhinagar.
In an order issued on Sunday, the state government said the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings where it is flown regularly. No official entertainment will be held on the day of mourning, the order said.
The notification stated, “Shri Vijaybhai Rupani, ex-Chief Minister of Gujarat, has passed away on 12-06-2025. As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, the Government of Gujarat has decided that there will be one day’s state mourning on 16th June, 2025 (Monday) throughout Gujarat. The national flag will be flown at half-mast on the day of mourning throughout the state on all buildings where the national flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on the day. Funeral will be on 16th June, 2025 (Monday) at Rajkot. Kindly inform all concerned.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met late Vijay Rupani’s family members during his visit to the state, a day after the crash took place.
Vijay Rupani’s body was identified three days after the crash through DNA testing. A forensic team had been working continuously to match the DNA of the deceased with samples taken from their families. The identification was formally announced by Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi while addressing the media on Saturday morning.
Gujarat Health Minister Rishikesh Patel, stated: “Gujarat CM Bhupendrabhai Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi visited late Vijaybhai Rupani ji’s residence today and told the family members that his DNA has been confirmed.”
“Mortal remains of Rupani will be handed over to the family on Monday morning. Remains will be taken to his hometown of Rajkot in the afternoon,” Gujarat health minister Rushikesh Patel told reporters.
Rupani’s remains will be kept at his house for about an hour before being taken for a funeral in the evening in a procession, he said.
Rupani was aboard flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off, resulting in the deaths of 241 of the 242 passengers on board. Rupani was reportedly travelling to London to meet his wife and daughter. One passenger survived the crash, described by officials as a miraculous escape.
Reenaben Patel, a legislator, also confirmed the body will be transported to Rajkot, where many of the late leader’s supporters are waiting to pay their last respects.
The process of identifying bodies through DNA analysis is meticulous and time-intensive, often taking up to 72 hours. In cases where DNA samples are insufficient, repeated testing is necessary, making confirmation a complex procedure involving both medical and legal checks.
