Group Captain Varun Singh Cremated in Bhopal with Full Military Honours

Group Captain Varun Singh, who passed away from burn injuries incurred during the tragic helicopter crash that killed CDS General Bipin Rawat and 12 others, was cremated with full military honours in his hometown in Bhopal on Friday, 17 December.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was among those who paid last respects to the Air Force officer at the Bairagarh crematorium in Bhopal.

Initially, the last rites were arranged to be held at the Bhadbhada crematorium but the ceremony was moved to Bairagarh at his father, Col (retd) KP Singh’s request.

Group Captain Singh suffered severe burn injuries and was initially being treated at the Base hospital in Tamil Nadu’s Wellington before being moved to the Command Hospital in Bengaluru. He passed away on 15 December.

Group Captain Singh was conferred with the Shaurya Chakra, India's third highest peacetime gallantry award, in August 2021 for displaying exemplary composure and skill when his Tejas aircraft developed a technical snag during a sortie.

On 16 December, Chief Minister Chouhan announced a 'Samman Nidhi' of Rs 1 crore to the kin of Group Captain Singh. "The state government will give Rs 1 crore as Samman Nidhi to the family of martyred Group Captain Varun Singh and in consultation with them, install his statue here, name an institution after him and also offer a job to his kin in the state government, as per laid down practice," said Chouhan.

(With inputs from IANS)