IAF Officer Files Rape Complaint Against Senior Colleague in Srinagar; Police and Air Force Launch Investigations
The 26-year-old complainant alleges sexual assault and harassment by a wing commander, with additional accusations against senior Air Force officials; investigations are underway by both the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Air Force.
Amid the nationwide outrage over the Kolkata rape-murder case in West Bengal, another shameful case has come to light. A 26-year-old flying officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Srinagar has filed a rape complaint against her senior officer with the police. The complainant alleged that a wing commander of the same base allegedly raped her on New Year's Eve. In this case, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have now registered a case against the accused wing commander at the Budgam police station under section 376 (2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). At the same time, the Indian Air Force has also started an investigation into the matter.
According to media reports, officials of the Budgam police station said that the victim has also accused the wing commander of mental torture and harassment along with oral sex. The woman officer posted at the Srinagar Air Force Station also demanded legal action against five 'criminals' including an Air Commodore, three Group Captains and a Wing Commander, as well as alleged several flaws in the internal investigation. The incident occurred eight months ago on December 31 after a New Year party at an officers' mess when the wing commander allegedly asked the complainant if she received any gifts. Meanwhile, the accused commander reportedly took her to his room, where many gifts were kept. It was here that the accused forced the victim to have oral sex.
Both the Air Force officers (victim and accused) are currently posted in Srinagar. A senior police officer said that after the complaint, an FIR was registered on Saturday at Budgam police station in central Kashmir under 'relevant sections of the law'. The Air Force has said that it is cooperating with the police in this matter. A senior Air Force officer said, 'We are aware of this matter. The local Budgam police station has contacted the Air Force station in Srinagar on this matter. We are fully cooperating in this matter.'
