Rajkot: A day after a DNA report confirmed the identity of Vijay Rupani among the victims of the devastating Ahmedabad plane crash, the former Gujarat Chief Minister’s mortal remains will be cremated in Rajkot today (June 16) with full state honours.
According to reports, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, senior BJP leaders, and top state officials will be present at the final rites.
Rupani’s Body To Be Flown To Rajkot Today
State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi confirmed that the DNA match came through at 11:10 am on June 15, putting to rest the uncertainty surrounding Rupani’s fate after the June 12 Air India-171 crash. His body will be handed over to his family at 11:30 am at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where they are expected to arrive by 11:00 am.
After completing all procedures at the hospital, the body will be airlifted to Rajkot, where it is expected to arrive between 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. Ahead of the cremation, his body will be kept for public viewing for an hour to allow citizens to pay their respects.
Full State Honours, National Leaders To Attend
The final procession will begin at 4:00 pm in Rajkot and is expected to witness participation from both national and state leaders. Apart from Amit Shah, Gujarat BJP chief CR Patil, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and several other state ministers will be attending the solemn farewell.
The Gujarat government has announced a one-day state mourning in Rupani’s honour. The veteran leader was among 241 people who lost their lives in the tragic crash of flight AI-171. The sole survivor has been identified as an Indian-British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
