Air India Flight Crash: Ex-CM Vijay Rupani, Cargo Motors’ Nanda Family Feared on Board
Moneylife Digital Team 12 June 2025
A tragic air disaster struck Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, with reports suggesting that Gujarat’s former chief minister (CM) Vijay Rupani and prominent industrialist Pramukh Nanda’s family may have been aboard the ill-fated Air India flight AI171. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after take-off while on route to London Gatwick.
 
The flight was carrying 242 individuals, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, one Canadian and seven Portuguese passengers.
 
While official confirmation is awaited, sources indicate that Mr Rupani may have been travelling on this flight. A senior leader from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mr Rupani served as Gujarat's 16th CM from 2016 to 2021 and has held multiple significant roles in both state and national politics.
 
A leaked passenger manifest also reveals the names of Neha Pramukh Nanda, Pramukh Pravesh Nanda and Prayash Pramukh Nanda—confirming that three members of the Nanda family were on board. Pramukh Nanda, founder of Cargo Motors group, was a key figure in Gujarat’s automobile and transport sectors and well known in the state’s business circles.
 
The aircraft reportedly struck the hostel mess building of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar locality, intensifying fears of casualties and injuries among students on the ground. The incident has added a civilian tragedy to the disaster’s already grim toll.
 
According to the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA), the aircraft, registered VT-ANB, took off from Runway 23 at 1:39pm and issued a ‘MAYDAY’ distress call within minutes. The crash occurred just outside the airport perimeter.
 
 
Emergency rescue operations are in progress, with response teams working to clear debris and assist any survivors. The number of confirmed casualties remains unknown and official victim identification will be carried out following proper procedures and after notifying families.
 
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