The tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, claimed the lives of all 242 people on board, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Rupani was en route to London to visit his daughter when the London-bound Air India Flight AI 171 crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Adding a layer of eerie coincidence to the tragedy is the fact that Rupani was known to consider the number 1206 his lucky number. Reports indicate that he had a strong affinity for this number, which was prominently displayed on all his vehicles' license plates. Furthermore, his seat number on the ill-fated flight was 12, and his boarding time was 12:10 PM, strengthening his connection to the number 12. The crash occurring on June 12 (12/06) has led many to comment on the strange twist of fate, with his lucky number becoming intertwined with his untimely demise.
Vijay Rupani served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from August 2016 to September 2021. News of his death has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with many Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders expressing their grief. BJP state president C.R. Patil mourned the loss, calling it "an irreplaceable loss to the party and the state." Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Ahmedabad following the crash, met with the lone survivor, a cabin crew member and addressed the media, describing the event as "one of the darkest days in Gujarat's recent memory," assuring a thorough investigation into the incident.
Social media has been flooded with reactions to Rupani's death, with many users noting the numerical coincidences surrounding the event. Some have pointed out that 1206 adds up to 9, which is also the sum of the numbers in Flight AI 171. Others have commented on the irony of Rupani's attachment to 1206, only to have the date 12/06 become the day of his passing.
The Air India flight AI 171 crash is a significant tragedy, and the death of Vijay Rupani has amplified the sense of loss. The coincidences surrounding his "lucky number" have added a layer of intrigue and reflection on fate, leaving many to ponder the unpredictable nature of life.