New Delhi: Air Marshal Manavendra Singh will lead the investigation into the military helicopter crash, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Thursday. On Wednesday, the disaster killed 13 persons, including Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat.

Members of the Lower House observed a two-minute silence shortly after the Lok Sabha's sessions began. While speaking to the House, Rajnath Singh said: "A tri-service investigation into the military chopper crash has been requested by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Air Marshal Manavendra Singh will lead the probe. The investigating team arrived in Wellington yesterday and got right to work." According to IAF sources, the Commander of the Indian Air Force is Air Marshal Manvendra Singh. The IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter carried a total of 14 personnel.

When his chopper crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, General Rawat, India's first CDS, was on his way to the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington to address the professors and student officers of the Staff Course. On December 31, 2019, General Rawat was named India's first Chief of Defense Staff. From January 2017 to December 2019, he was the Chief of the Army Staff. In December 1978, he was commissioned into the Indian Army.

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