KKN Gurugram Desk | The tragic Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has once again brought attention to the devastating impact of aviation accidents involving prominent Indian political leaders. Among the victims of this recent disaster was Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, who was en route to London to visit his wife and daughter. The crash claimed the lives of nearly all onboard, making it one of the deadliest aviation tragedies in recent Indian history.

Unfortunately, Rupani’s death adds to a long list of Indian politicians who have perished in air crashes over the decades. From Sanjay Gandhi, the son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to former Civil Aviation Minister Madhavrao Scindia, many towering political figures have met tragic ends in the skies.

 Vijay Rupani: The Latest Tragedy

Onboard the ill-fated Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Flight AI-171), Vijay Rupani was one of the most prominent personalities traveling to London when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. Eyewitness accounts and aviation authorities confirm that there was only one survivor, and the rest of the passengers and crew perished, including Rupani.

A seasoned BJP politician and key figure in Gujarat politics, Rupani served as the state’s Chief Minister from 2016 to 2021. His untimely demise has sent shockwaves across the political spectrum.

 Remembering Indian Leaders Lost in Aviation Disasters

Over the years, multiple Indian leaders have lost their lives in plane or helicopter crashes, either during official duties, campaign tours, or private travel. Below is a timeline of some of the most tragic and notable incidents:

 Sanjay Gandhi (1980)

• Date: June 23, 1980

• Location: Near Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi

• Cause: Aircraft control loss during aerobatic flying

• Aircraft: Small two-seater aircraft

Sanjay Gandhi, the younger son of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was an influential political figure and considered her potential political heir. During a morning stunt flight in Delhi, Gandhi lost control of the plane, which crashed and killed both him and pilot Subhash Saxena. His death at just 33 shocked the nation and changed the trajectory of Indian politics.

Madhavrao Scindia (2001)

• Date: September 30, 2001

• Location: Near Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh

• Cause: Bad weather during flight to a political rally

• Aircraft: Private 10-seater aircraft

A royal turned Congress politician, Madhavrao Scindia was the Minister of Civil Aviation at various times and a respected leader. On his way to address a rally in Kanpur, the aircraft crashed due to poor visibility and stormy conditions, killing Scindia and seven others onboard.

 GMC Balayogi (2002)

• Date: March 3, 2002

• Location: Near Kaikalur, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh

• Cause: Technical failure or poor weather

• Aircraft: Private helicopter

Ganti Mohana Chandra Balayogi, then Speaker of the Lok Sabha, died when his helicopter crashed into a water body. Balayogi was traveling from Bhimavaram to Hyderabad. His death was a significant loss for the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Parliament.

 Cyprian Sangma (2004)

• Date: September 22, 2004

• Location: Near Barapani Lake, Meghalaya

• Cause: Helicopter crash during bad weather

• Aircraft: Pawan Hans helicopter

Cyprian Sangma, then Meghalaya’s Rural Development Minister, was killed along with nine others when their helicopter went down en route from Guwahati to Shillong. The aircraft crashed just 20 km from the state capital, raising questions about air safety in hilly northeastern states.

 Om Prakash Jindal (2005)

• Date: March 31, 2005

• Location: Near Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh

• Cause: Helicopter mechanical failure

• Aircraft: Private chopper

Renowned Haryana politician and industrialist Om Prakash Jindal, along with Minister Surender Singh, died in a helicopter crash while flying from Delhi to Chandigarh. The aircraft crashed under mysterious circumstances, drawing wide media coverage and public mourning.

 Recurring Concerns Over Air Safety for VIPs

The recurring deaths of Indian politicians in air-related incidents have repeatedly brought attention to issues such as:

• Poor weather navigation

• Aging aircraft and helicopters

• Inadequate maintenance and safety checks

• Lack of updated aviation technology in government or private charters

Despite advances in aviation, experts argue that India still lacks comprehensive systems for VIP air travel safety protocols.

“Many of these tragedies were preventable. Regular audits and real-time weather data integration are still lacking in regional operations,” said an aviation analyst.

Political Impact and National Mourning

Each of these leaders left a void in their respective parties and constituencies:

• Sanjay Gandhi’s death changed the course of Congress succession planning.

• Scindia’s passing led to a power vacuum in Madhya Pradesh politics.

• Balayogi’s demise was a rare case of a sitting Lok Sabha Speaker dying in office.

• Vijay Rupani’s loss has prompted condolences from across political lines, including statements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel.

The death of Vijay Rupani in the Air India AI-171 crash is a heartbreaking addition to the long list of Indian political leaders lost to air disasters. As India moves forward, aviation safety—especially for public figures—remains a pressing concern.

From the corridors of New Delhi to the skies over Kanpur and Shillong, these incidents are stark reminders of how fragile life can be, even for the most influential.