Captain Anshuman Singh's parents allege daughter-in-law took everything, demand 'Next of Kin' policy revision

The parents of Captain Anshuman Singh, a medical officer in the Indian Army who died while saving lives during a fire in Siachen last year, are urging the Indian Army to revise its 'next of kin' (NOK) criteria for providing financial assistance to soldiers' families. Their call for change comes after they were co-recipients of the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest gallantry honor, awarded to Captain Singh posthumously.

Background on NOK Criteria

The term next of kin typically refers to a soldier's spouse, adopted family member, or closest living blood relative. When a soldier joins the Army, their parents or guardians are recorded as NOK. However, if a soldier marries, the spouse's name replaces the parents' in official records, which can lead to complications for families after a soldier's death.

Concerns Raised by the Family

Captain Anshuman’s father, Ravi Pratap Singh, and mother, Manju Singh, expressed their concerns during a recent interview. They noted that their daughter-in-law, Smriti Singh, no longer lives with them and has updated her address in official records. As a result, she receives most entitlements following their son’s death. "The criteria set to NOK is not correct. I have also spoken to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about this. Anshuman’s wife doesn’t live with us now; the marriage was just five months old and there is no child," Singh said.

Call for Change

Captain Singh’s father highlighted that some rules were revised after the 1999 Kargil War for the families of deceased soldiers. He argues that similar adjustments should be made to the NOK criteria. Additionally, he mentioned that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has promised to address the issue with the Defence Minister.

A Plea for Future Families

Captain Anshuman’s mother emphasized the need for the government to revisit the NOK rules to prevent future hardships for parents and dependents of deceased soldiers. They wish to ensure that families receive fair treatment and support during difficult times.