'We were not even able to touch Kirti Chakra awarded to our son, daughter-in-law is not living with us'; Captain Anshuman Singh's parents levels allegations

NEW DELHI: The parents of martyred Captain Anshuman Singh, who was awarded the Kirti Chakra, have come out raising allegations against their daughter-in-law. In an interview with a media outlet, Captain Anshuman's parents, Manju Singh and Ravi Pratap Singh revealed that their daughter-in-law, Smriti Singh, had moved out of their house and had even changed her address in official records.

"She (Smriti Singh) left with the Kirti Chakra awarded to our son by the government. We were not even able to touch the Kirti Chakra once. She also took away Anshuman's pictures, albums and clothes. Moreover, she is the one receiving most of the entitlements after our son's death. We only have our son's photo hanging on the wall with a garland on it," Ravi Pratap Singh said.

Captain Anshuman's parents also demanded changes in the Indian Army's 'next of kin (NOK)' criteria for financial assistance to family members in case of a soldier's death.

"The criteria for NOK is not correct. I have also spoken to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh about the same. Anshuman's wife is not living with us. Their marriage was just five months old and they have no child. We only have a photo of our son. Hence, we want the definition of NOK to be fixed. It should be decided that the wife of the martyr must stay with the family, who now has many dependencies," Ravi Pratap Singh said.

Captain Anshuman Singh died while trying to save the lives of people during a fire that broke out in Siachen last year. On July 5, his wife Smriti Singh and mother Manju Singh received the Kirti Chakra from President Droupadi Murmu for his “act of conspicuous gallantry and sacrifice”.

Anshuman Singh and Smriti Singh got married after eight years of love. After two months of marriage, Captain Anshuman left for Siachen. He died three months after this.