Family Feud Erupts Over Rs 21 Lakh Compensation for Late Air Force Officer

Shahid Shubham Kumar's Family in Conflict Over Rs 21 <a href="/en/article/consumer-court-orders-rs-15-lakh-compensation-for-widow-after-insurer-s-claim-fails" class="nd-inline-link">Lakh Compensation</a> Given to Wife

The tragic demise of Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar in an Air Force plane crash on June 13 in Jorhat, Assam, has left his family grieving. However, a dispute has emerged over the Rs 21 lakh compensation provided by the Bihar government to Shubham's wife, Shreya Rai.

Shubham Kumar, a 25-year-old resident of Jehanabad, Bihar, had married Shreya Rai through court marriage, a fact unknown to his family. The couple had planned a formal wedding for the following year. After Shubham's passing, the government legally recognized Shreya as his wife and handed her the compensation cheque. However, Shreya reportedly took the cheque and returned to her parental home in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, before Shubham's post-death rituals.

Shubham's father, Amarendra Sharma, expressed disappointment over Shreya’s actions. He acknowledged her legal entitlement to the compensation but criticized her for not fulfilling her duties as a wife by staying with the family during the mourning period. Amarendra also alleged a lack of transparency in the process, stating that neither the Circle Officer (CO) nor Shreya informed him about the cheque. He felt the CO should have delivered the cheque at their home and Shreya should have come to her in-laws’ house to receive it.

Shubham’s funeral was held at Vishnupad cremation ground in Gaya, Bihar, where his younger brother performed the last rites. The family, still grappling with their loss, shared memories of Shubham’s achievements and aspirations.

Shubham’s grandfather, Yogendra Sharma, expressed anger at the government, blaming systemic negligence for his grandson's death. He pointed out that the aircraft involved in the crash was around 40 years old and criticized the government for using outdated equipment for military personnel. Yogendra also lamented the loss of Shubham, whom he described as the family's greatest hope.

Shubham's maternal grandfather, Sarju Sharma, echoed similar sentiments, holding the government accountable for the <a href="/en/article/indian-teenager-dies-in-central-park-carriage-&lt;a href=" class="nd-inline-link">accident</a>" class="nd-inline-link"&gt;accident-while-saving-mother" class="nd-inline-link"&gt;tragedy. He praised Shubham's accomplishments at the young age of 25, emphasizing the pride the family felt for him.

Shubham’s journey to becoming a Flight Lieutenant was marked by dedication and excellence. He excelled academically, scoring over 90% in both his matriculation and intermediate exams. After passing the NDA on his first attempt in 2017, he underwent three years of training in Pune, followed by postings in Hyderabad, Gujarat, and finally Assam.

The family’s grief deepened as details of Shubham’s last moments emerged. On the morning of the crash, Shubham had video-called his family, mentioning heavy rain and promising to talk later. Hours later, the family received confirmation of his death, leaving them devastated.

Shubham’s mother, Poonam Devi, shared her heartbreak, recalling her son’s final words before heading on his mission. She lamented the unfulfilled dreams of his marriage and the family’s struggle to build a new home, a project initiated after Shubham secured his Air Force job. The family currently resides in a modest tin-roofed house, with their aspirations for a better future now shattered.