Srinagar: A woman flying officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has lodged a police complaint accusing a senior officer, a Wing Commander, of rape and continuous sexual harassment over the past two years. The complaint, filed at the Budgam police station in Jammu and Kashmir, has led to the registration of an FIR. Both officers are currently stationed in Srinagar.
According to the woman’s complaint, the incident occurred during a New Year’s party on 31 December 2023 at the Officers’ Mess. The Wing Commander allegedly asked her if she had received a gift, and when she replied that she hadn’t, he said the gift was in his room and took her there. The flying officer claims that the Wing Commander then coerced her into physical relations despite her repeated resistance.
Repeated Harassment and Inadequate Response
In her account to NDTV, the woman officer stated that she had tried to resist the Wing Commander’s advances, but he ignored her pleas. She described how he had callously remarked they would meet again when his family left for the weekend. “It took me a while to fully comprehend what had happened,” she recounted, expressing her fear and confusion. “I was scared and didn’t know what to do, as there have been previous incidents where my attempts to report harassment were dismissed.”
The woman officer further detailed how the Wing Commander continued to act as if nothing had happened, showing no signs of remorse. She sought support from two other female officers and subsequently lodged a formal complaint.
Allegations of Bias and a Cover-Up
Following the complaint, a Colonel-rank officer was assigned to conduct an inquiry into the incident. The flying officer alleged that the Wing Commander was brought in twice to record his statement but objected to the senior officer’s presence during the inquiry. She claims the investigation was abruptly closed to conceal administrative failings.
The woman officer accused station officials of bias, asserting that they were aiding the Wing Commander and that the Internal Committee (IC) had not conducted a fair inquiry. She alleged, “Instructions had come from higher authorities to manipulate the results, and everyone seemed to be helping the perpetrator.”
Denied Leave and Relief
The flying officer also described being denied interim relief, including multiple requests for leave and a transfer to avoid her alleged assailant. “I am forced to work and attend events with someone who has harassed me. Every day, I suffer at the hands of the authorities,” she said, highlighting her ordeal and the lack of support from the military establishment.
Demand for Justice
The woman officer’s revelations have drawn attention to the need for systemic reforms within the armed forces to address sexual harassment and assault allegations more transparently and fairly. As the investigation unfolds, calls for accountability and justice are growing louder.
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