News Brief
‘I Am Living In Constant Fear’: IAF Woman Officer Accuses Senior Wing Commander Of Rape, FIR Filed At Budgam Police Station
IAF Chinook helicopter (Representative Image) (Pic Via Boeing India Website)
A flying officer serving in the Indian Air Force has lodged a formal complaint with the police, accusing a senior Wing Commander of raping her.
Based on the complaint, an FIR has been registered at the Budgam police station in Jammu and Kashmir.
Both the officers involved are stationed in Srinagar.
The Indian Air Force has said that they are cooperating with the authorities regarding the case.
"We are aware of the case. Local police station Budgam has approached the Indian Air Force in Srinagar in this matter and we are fully cooperating with the local authorities," the IAF was quoted as saying by NDTV.
In her complaint, the flying officer stated that she has endured harassment, sexual assault, and mental torture for the past two years.
According to the officer, at a New Year party at the officers' mess on 31 December 2023, her senior asked if she had received the gift.
When she said she had not, the Wing Commander said the gifts were in his room and took her there. When she asked where his family was, he said they were elsewhere.
The flying officer has alleged that her senior forced her into oral sex and molested her.
"I repeatedly asked him to stop doing it and tried to resist it in all ways possible. Finally, I pushed him and ran away. He said that we would meet me on Friday again when his family leaves," she has said, NDTV reported.
The officer said that it took time for her to fully comprehend what had occurred.
"I was afraid and didn't know what to do as there were instances before also wherein I was discouraged to report. He visited my office post this incident... He behaved as if nothing happened and there was no sign of remorse in his eyes," she said.
The flying officer said that she sought the advice of two fellow women officers, who encouraged her to file the complaint.
"I can't describe (the) mental agony, being an unmarried girl who joined forces and was treated in such (a) heinous manner," she said.
After lodging the complaint, a Colonel-rank officer was assigned to investigate the matter, she stated.
She objected to his presence, and later, the investigation was closed, which she believes was done to "hide mistakes of administration".
She then submitted a new application to the internal committee, which convened two months later.
"The bias of Stn (Station) authorities to aid the sexual offender was very heart-breaking for me," she has said, alleging that a medical examination was not done till she insisted multiple times.
"IC (internal committee) did not do its job properly as directions had come from higher formation to keep the result as neutral. Everyone was aiding the sexual offender," the flying officer has said.
She also claimed that her repeated requests for interim relief and leave were denied.
Additionally, her pleas for a different posting, either for herself or the Wing Commander, were ignored.
"I am forced to socialise with these people and attend events with my abuser...While he is enjoying. I am getting harassed in (the) hands of authorities on a daily basis," she has said.
According to her, the Internal Committee said that it was inconclusive whether the incident happened or not because of the lack of an eyewitness and closed its probe in May.
"Isn't it common sense that someone would not do sexual assault in front of a witness?" she said.
The flying officer further alleged "continuous mental harassment" and "social boycott."
"My personal communications have been constantly monitored unofficially. The individuals I speak with are harassed by the authorities," she said.
She stated that the ongoing harassment has severely affected her mental health.
"I am living in constant fear, under 24/7 scrutiny and my social life has been completely disrupted. The harassment has driven me to suicidal thoughts, and I feel utterly helpless. I am unable to carry on with my daily life, and my social interactions are closely monitored and discouraged by authorities. I have endured this torture for too long, and I am at my breaking point," she has said.
