Gujarat University has started refunding course fees to the families of MBBS students who died or were injured in the tragic Air India flight AI171 crash. The London-bound flight crashed into the undergraduate mess of BJ Medical College on June 12, just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport.
According to a media report, the incident claimed the lives of four students when the mess ceiling collapsed during lunchtime. Fourteen others sustained serious burns and injuries.
“We have initiated the process of refunding course fees to the affected students and their families,” said Gujarat University Vice Chancellor Neerja Gupta. “This step was suggested by Education Minister Rushikesh Patel during a condolence meeting held at BJ Medical College on Tuesday.”
Gupta added that instructions have been given to the BJMC administration to process the refunds for both the deceased students and those currently undergoing treatment. “This is our way of supporting them during this difficult time,” she said.
Although the fees are held by the college, the decision to issue refunds was made at the university level. BJ Medical College charges ₹25,000 annually for tuition, ₹1,200 for hostel accommodation, and ₹55 per meal for hostel residents. Mess bills vary monthly depending on consumption. With ₹25,000 per year, the total tuition for the four-year MBBS program amounts to ₹1,00,000.
University officials confirmed the victims included first-year and second-year MBBS students, a radiology resident doctor, and a final-year physiotherapy student. The deceased were identified as Aryan Rajput, Manav Bhadu, Jayprakash Chaudhary, and Rakesh Diyora.