The Indian Army on Monday strongly denied media reports and social media claims alleging that a drunken army officer injured over two dozen civilians in a reckless driving incident in Nagpur.
Several media platforms had reported that a soldier, allegedly in an inebriated state, rammed his car into a crowd of 30 people in Nagardhan village near Ramtek on August 3 and was later thrashed by locals before being arrested. However, an official statement issued by the Indian Army has termed the reports “false and misleading.”
According to the Army, the alleged incident occurred around 6:30 PM on August 3, when Havildar Harsh Pal Mahadev Waghmare, a resident of Ramtek and currently posted in the North East, was on leave and returning from a relative’s residence. He had a minor dispute with a few locals over parking, which escalated when four individuals began chasing him.
“In an attempt to distance himself from the miscreants, Havildar Waghmare’s vehicle accidentally hit a tree. He was then forcibly pulled out of his car and brutally assaulted by the group. His car was vandalised and thrown into a drain,” the statement said.
Contrary to earlier media reports, the Army clarified that no civilians were injured during the entire episode.
Havildar Waghmare has filed an FIR against the four accused at Ramtek Police Station on August 4. The case details have been verified by local police authorities and corroborated by the Superintendent of Police, Rural Nagpur.
The Indian Army stated that it is fully cooperating with the local police and has ensured necessary support to Havildar Waghmare.
Calling out the “sensationalism” in the initial coverage, the Army cautioned that such misinformation not only misleads the public but also attempts to malign the reputation of a disciplined force.
“This incident may well be a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the Indian Army and create unnecessary discord,” the Army said, urging media outlets to exercise responsibility and verify facts before publishing such reports.
