A chilling case of alleged sexual assault and subsequent cover-up has shaken the Indian Air Force (IAF). A female flying officer stationed in Srinagar has filed a police complaint accusing a senior Wing Commander of rape. The complaint details a harrowing account of harassment, sexual assault, and mental torture endured by the officer over the past two years.
The officer alleges that the Wing Commander, under the pretense of delivering a gift, took her to his room during a New Year’s Eve party on December 31, 2023. Despite her pleas to stop, he allegedly forced her into oral sex. She claims he threatened to meet again after his family left, leaving her deeply traumatized and fearful.
The officer’s complaint further highlights the alleged attempts to protect the accused. An internal investigation was initiated, but the officer claims that the accused was allowed to sit in on the investigation meetings, raising serious questions about impartiality. She alleges that the investigation was shut down prematurely to conceal potential administrative errors.
The officer also accuses the internal committee of bias and a lack of thoroughness. She criticizes the delay in her medical examination and alleges that there were instructions from higher-ups to keep the investigation results neutral. She claims that her communication is being monitored, and individuals who interact with her are being harassed.
The officer’s complaint paints a grim picture of a system that failed to protect her and may have even actively sought to shield the perpetrator. This case highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive review of the IAF’s internal complaint mechanism and a commitment to providing support and justice to victims of sexual assault within the armed forces.
