Vijay Rupani Funeral: The Gujarat government has announced a one-day state mourning on Monday, June 16, following the tragic demise of former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in a plane crash. 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.
On the passing of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani in the Ahmedabad plane crash, a one-day political mourning has been declared on 16th June. National flags will be flown at half-mast on Monday, and his cremation will be held with full state honors in the evening at Rajkot pic.twitter.com/cQnmkEUpsr
— IANS (@ians_india) June 15, 2025
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.”
Vijay Rupani Funeral: DNA Confirmation After Intensive Search
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, speaking to IANS, 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. His family will take call on last rites and final stage preparations for cremation. After consultation with them, all arrangements will be done.”
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.
