New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) called Friday for avoiding ‘uninformed’ speculation on the chopper crash near Coonoor that killed CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 Armed Forces personnel. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Thursday in Parliament that a tri-services inquiry has been ordered into the crash. The probe is being headed by Marshal Manavendra Singh, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the IAF’s Training Command. In a tweet, the IAF said the inquiry would be completed expeditiously and the facts will be brought out.
“IAF has constituted a tri-service Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the tragic helicopter accident on 08 Dec 21,” the IAF said. “The inquiry would be completed expeditiously & facts brought out. Till then, to respect the dignity of the deceased, uninformed speculation may be avoided,” the IAF added.
Also read: China slams conspiracy theory over CDS Bipin Rawat chopper crash
The IAF’s comments came amid speculation by a certain section about reasons for the crash Wednesday. There were doubts about whether the crash was the result of a possible sabotage.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said Thursday the death of Gen Rawat has raised doubts in the minds of people. Raut, a Rajya Sabha member, said Gen Rawat had played a key role in formulating the nation’s military response against China and Pakistan in recent times.
“So, when such an accident takes place, it raises doubts in the minds of the people,” Raut said. He pointed out that the helicopter ferrying Gen Rawat was a modern machine powered by two engines.
Raut claimed that the entire country and the leadership may have been confounded by this accident. However, the defence minister or the prime minister should eliminate all doubts.
Meanwhile, reacting to questions raised about a possible Chinese angle into the crash, Chinese state media dismissed any conspiracy theory.
