Viral proposal, possible punishment: Army officer faces heat over romantic gesture

Key points

• An Army officer whose helicopter-side marriage proposal to his fiance after a graduation ceremony in Maharashtra's Nashik went viral on social media may now face disciplinary action, sources said.
• Capt Bharat Bhardwaj, who recently completed his training as an Army Aviation pilot, is likely to be issued a show-cause notice, with officials viewing the episode as a possible breach of military protocol and decorum.
• The proposal took place shortly after the Passing Out Parade and convocation ceremony at the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS) in Nashik, where trainee pilots were celebrating the completion of their training programme.
• VIRAL MOMENT AFTER GRADUATION Videos and photographs from the event showed Bhardwaj leading his fiance, Aarushi, towards a helicopter stationed at the venue.
• As family members, fellow officers and guests watched, he went down on one knee and presented her with a ring.