A female flying officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF) has filed a police complaint accusing a Wing Commander of rape and sexual harassment. The complaint, lodged at Budgam police station in Jammu and Kashmir, alleges that the incident occurred on December 31, 2023, at a New Year party.
According to the complaint, the Wing Commander invited the officer to his room under the pretext of a gift exchange. Once there, he allegedly forced her into oral sex and molested her despite her repeated pleas to stop. The officer stated that she tried to resist but eventually had to escape the situation.
The IAF has confirmed that it is cooperating with local authorities in the investigation. “We are aware of the case. The local police station Budgam has approached the Indian Air Force in Srinagar, and we are fully cooperating with them,” said an IAF spokesperson.
The officer has detailed ongoing harassment and mental distress over the past two years, including discouragement from reporting previous incidents. She mentioned that despite filing a complaint, the investigation led by a Colonel-rank officer did not address her concerns adequately, with the senior officer’s presence during interviews being a point of contention.
She also alleged that the Internal Committee’s investigation was biased and inconclusive, citing a lack of a medical examination until she insisted on it. The officer criticized the response from the IAF administration, stating that her requests for leave and a different posting were denied, and she has been forced to interact with her alleged abuser.
The ongoing harassment has reportedly taken a severe toll on her mental health, leading to suicidal thoughts and significant disruptions in her daily life. The officer claims that her personal communications are being monitored and that she is being socially ostracized by the authorities.
The case has sparked significant concern about the handling of sexual harassment complaints within the armed forces and the need for a more supportive and transparent investigative process.
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