 |
|
A serious allegation of sexual assault has rocked the Indian Air Force (IAF) with a Wing Commander stationed at Air Force Station, Srinagar, being booked for rape by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The FIR, filed on September 8th, 2024, details a harrowing account by a woman officer who also serves at the same station, accusing the Wing Commander of rape and persistent harassment over a period of two years.
The woman officer alleges that the assault occurred in the early hours of January 1st, 2024, after a New Year's Eve party held at the Officers' Mess. She claims she was coerced into performing a sexual act on the Wing Commander after he requested her presence in a room for a supposed New Year gift. Her account highlights the traumatic impact of the incident, describing her emotional turmoil, struggle to come forward, and the subsequent lack of support from the IAF authorities.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the woman officer also accuses the IAF of inaction and bias in addressing her complaints. She claims that it took two months for the station to assemble an Internal Committee (IC) to investigate her allegations. She further alleges that the committee was biased in favor of the accused, delayed medical examination, and ultimately concluded that the incident could not be definitively proven due to the lack of eyewitness testimony. The woman officer claims the committee even refused to summon a witness who had been removed from the camp area, despite her presenting evidence to the contrary.
In frustration, she was compelled to approach the J&K Police to file an FIR, as she felt her concerns were being dismissed by the IAF authorities. This case raises critical questions about accountability within the IAF and the effectiveness of its internal mechanisms for addressing sexual assault allegations. The woman officer's legal representative, Colonel Amit Kumar (retd), has emphasized the need for a fair and impartial investigation, calling for the woman officer's separation from her current unit to ensure the integrity of the process.
The IAF's response to this incident will be keenly observed by the public. The alleged actions of the Wing Commander and the perceived inaction of the IAF authorities underscore the need for a zero-tolerance approach towards sexual assault within the armed forces. The outcome of this case will serve as a crucial test for the IAF's commitment to providing a safe and just environment for all its personnel.
Source: IAF Wing Commander booked for rape in J&K on woman officer’s complaint