Indian Army Refutes Media Reports on Nagpur Incident, Calls Coverage “False and Misleading”

 The Indian Army has issued a firm rebuttal to what it describes as “false and misleading” media reports surrounding an incident in Nagpur, where initial coverage alleged that a drunken Army personnel had driven a car into a crowd, injuring several civilians. The Army, following a detailed inquiry conducted jointly with local police authorities, has categorically denied these claims and clarified the sequence of events.

On August 4, multiple media outlets and social media platforms published sensational headlines, including claims such as “Drunk Army Officer Rams Car Into 30 People in Nagpur, Thrashed by Locals.” These accounts, the Army says, grossly misrepresented the facts and contributed to an irresponsible narrative that unfairly implicated the armed forces.

Clarifying the Incident

According to official findings, the incident occurred on the evening of August 3, 2025, at approximately 6:30 PM in Nagardhan village, located in Nagpur district, Maharashtra.

Havildar Harsh Pal Mahadev Waghmare, a non-commissioned officer presently posted in the North East and on sanctioned leave in his hometown of Ramtek, had a minor dispute over a parking issue with a group of local individuals while returning from a relative’s residence.

As tensions escalated, four individuals began pursuing the Army personnel. In an attempt to evade the group, Waghmare’s car veered off and struck a tree. He was subsequently forcibly removed from the vehicle and assaulted, sustaining injuries. The car was also vandalised and later thrown into a nearby drain.

Contrary to earlier media claims, no civilians were injured during the episode. This has been officially verified by the Ramtek Police Station and Superintendent of Police (Rural), Nagpur.

Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation

Following the assault, Havildar Waghmare lodged an FIR on August 4 at Ramtek Police Station against the four alleged assailants. The Indian Army’s Local Military Authority is now working closely with the police to ensure a swift and impartial investigation, while extending full support to the soldier involved.

Army Condemns Media Sensationalism

In its official statement, the Indian Army condemned the media's portrayal of the incident, terming it “sensationalist, irresponsible, and factually incorrect.” The statement further warned against any attempts to malign the image of the armed forces through speculative or inaccurate reporting.

“This incident may also be a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Indian Army and create divisions where none exist,” the Army said, emphasizing the importance of responsible journalism.

The Army reiterated its unwavering commitment to the rule of law and its internal code of discipline, while urging media organisations to verify facts through credible and official sources before disseminating serious allegations.