CDS Chopper Crash: Group Captain Varun Singh To Be Cremated With Full Military Honours Today In Bhopal

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chohan paid homage to the deceased at the State Hangar and also met with his family and consoled them.

Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel carry the casket containing mortal remains of Group Captain Varun Singh during a wreath-laying ceremony at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. Singh died yesterday at Command Hospital where he was undergoing treatment after sustaining injuries in the Coonoor IAF helicopter crash. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: Indian Air Force Group Captain Varun Singh’s mortal remains reached Bhopal on Thursday and will be cremated with full military honours today at a crematorium in Bairagarh as told by his father, retired Colonel K.P. Singh.

Group Captain Varun Singh was on board the ill-fated Mi-17V-5 helicopter that crashed on December 8 killing 13 defence personnel including Chief of Defence General Bipin Rawat and his wife. Singh was the lone survivor of the crash who succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. 

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chohan paid homage to the deceased at the State Hangar and also met with his family and consoled them. His body was then taken to his residence. 

The Chief Minister said that “the nation could never forget the valour of the officer. He would continue to live forever in the memories of the state and the countrymen.”  

Chohan also said that an institution or a building would be named after Group Captain Varun Singh in consultation with his family. The CM also said that an ex gratia of Rs 1 Crore to the bereaved family and a government job to one of the family members would also be provided. 

Upon receiving the unfortunate news, his family members, relatives and well wishers reached his Sun City residence in Bhopal. His neighbours recalled how he would host get together parties whenever he would come home. “We had hoped that he would come back among us in four to eight months after recovering, but it could not happen,” said one of his associate.