Martyr's Parents Want Their Share But Not Wife

The parents of Captain Anshuman Singh, who died in a fire in Siachen last July, are demanding changes to the Indian Army's next of kin (NOK) criteria for financial assistance after a soldier's death. 

Ravi Pratap Singh and his wife Manju Singh told a news channel that their daughter-in-law, Smriti Singh, left their home and now gets most of the benefits after their son's death. Mr. Singh said all they have left is a photo of their son on the wall.

"The current NOK criteria are unfair. I spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about this. Anshuman's wife doesn't live with us; their marriage was only five months old and there is no child. We just have a photo of our son with a garland," Mr. Singh said. "We want the NOK definition to change to consider family dependency," he added.

Captain Singh's mother wants the government to review the NOK rules to prevent other parents from suffering.

NOK rules designate a soldier's closest relatives for benefits. Initially parents are recorded, but after marriage, the spouse becomes the NOK.

Captain Singh posted with 26 Punjab, died heroically while rescuing others from a fire on July 19, 2023. 

He was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award received by his wife and mother from President Droupadi Murmu on July 5.