Udaipur, Bikaner, Banswara Families Among Dead in Air India Tragedy

In the aftermath of the tragic Air India flight AI171 crash that occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London, heart-wrenching images of victims from Rajasthan have gone viral across social media platforms. Among them is a photograph of 20-year-old Khushboo, who had recently married in London in January 2025. Her husband, a nurse based in the UK, had been eagerly awaiting her return after a brief stay in India.

Just hours before boarding the ill-fated flight, Khushboo clicked a final picture with her father, Madan Rajpurohit — a moment now etched in collective memory. The two had traveled together by road from Balotra district in Rajasthan to Ahmedabad. Tragically, before Madan could even reach Mehsana on his return journey, news of the crash had already spread.

Other victims from Rajasthan whose identities have since emerged include Udaipur-based marble businessman Shubh Modi, his sister Shagun, and his two children; Vardichand Menaria and Prakash Menaria, both employed as cooks at a restaurant in London; and Abhinav Parihar, a Bikaner-based artificial jewellery trader and grandson of former Dungargarh MLA Krishna Ram Nai.

A couple from Banswara, Dr. Koni Vyas and Dr. Pradeep Joshi, also lost their lives in the crash along with their three children — Pradyut, Miraya, and Nakul — officials confirmed.

Speaking to the media outside the residence of businessman Sanjeev Modi in Saheli Nagar, Udaipur, District Collector Namit Mehta stated, “We have informed the state government and are extending all necessary assistance to the affected families.”

In light of the tragedy, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma cancelled his scheduled visit to Banswara. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
“The news of the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad is extremely distressing and tragic. I pray for the safety and well-being of all passengers and crew members involved in this unfortunate incident.”

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also expressed his grief, posting:
“Received the heartbreaking news of the plane crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the passengers, crew, and their families during this difficult time.”