IAF officer accuses senior of sexual assault
The J&K Police have registered an FIR after a woman Flying Officer filed a complaint against a Wing Commander, alleging “sexual assault, harassment and mental torture”. The FIR has been lodged under Section 376(2) of the Indian Penal Code at Budgam police station in Central Kashmir.
Claims investigation delayed by 2 months
- The complainant alleged that a Wing Commander sexually assaulted her on New Year’s Eve last year
- She reported the matter to IAF authorities and an internal probe pane was set up
- Panel delayed probe by two months and ordered no action against anyone, she alleged
The IAF said the force was cooperating with the police in Budgam. Officials in Delhi said the police had been approached to get all the details. The IAF was aware of the case and have taken note of it, they said.
In her complaint, the officer alleged after a party at the Air Force Station in Srinagar on the New Year’s Eve last year, a Wing Commander took her to his room on the pretext of handing her over some gift and sexually assaulted her. “I revealed the incident to two women officers. They guided me to file a complaint, but I was embarrassed and lacked courage to do so,” the complaint read.
The officer claimed she finally decided to put up a fight. “A Colonel was ordered to investigate the incident,” she said, adding to her shock, the accused was made to sit with her twice. After a delay of two months, the internal committee met on April 2, but it didn’t recommend any action. Her request for the transfer of the accused was also not entertained. The investigation ended on May 15 and no action was taken against anyone. “I continued to face social boycott and harassment at the hand of seniors. My personal communications are being monitored constantly,” she alleged.
She said she finally approached the police for legal action against the accused and a few other officers.