FIR filed after female Air Force officer alleges sexual harassment and assault by superior in Srinagar

A flying officer has accused a wing commander of rape during a New Year's Eve party, leading to an FIR in Budgam, Kashmir. The investigation has been criticised for administrative mismanagement.

Srinagar, Sept 10: Jammu and Kashmir Police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) after a 26-year-old woman flying officer posted at Air Force Station Srinagar accused a senior officer of sexual assault and mental harassment. The FIR was filed at Budgam police station under Section 376(2) of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with rape by a person in a position of trust or authority.

The officer claimed the assault occurred on the evening of December 31, 2023, during a New Year's Eve party at the air base. In her complaint, she detailed how a squadron commander allegedly lured her to his room under the pretense of picking up a gift. Once there, she says, the officer sexually assaulted her despite her attempts to resist.

“I told the incident to two female officers who helped me file a complaint,” she explained, adding that she was initially hesitant to report the assault because she was shocked and embarrassed because she was new to the military. The officer further described the mental anguish she suffered, saying the nightmares and trauma left her torn between keeping quiet or speaking out. She finally decided to file a complaint.

The officer alleged that the internal investigation after filing her complaint was mishandled as the accused was allowed to stay close to her during the proceedings. She alleged that key witnesses were not called and that the internal committee (IC) overseeing the investigation ignored crucial evidence.

“I raised the negligence of the station authorities, including the fact that a witness was forced to leave the camp premises before he could give his testimony. However, none of these points were addressed in the final recommendations,” she wrote in her complaint to police, claiming the internal investigation was biased in favor of the accused.

The officer also reported ongoing harassment. She stated that her communications were monitored and those she interacted with were intimidated by authorities. She reported one incident in which a person she spoke with was detained and interrogated by security.

The relentless harassment has severely affected her mental health and driven her to suicidal thoughts, the official said. Despite her requests for temporary help, including a transfer or leave, she and the defendant said they remain stationed at the same base, forcing her to continue to interact with her alleged tormentor.

The officer also accused five other officials of mishandling the investigation, harassing her and mentally torturing her. Following her detailed complaint, the Jammu and Kashmir Police registered the case and the investigation was assigned to an inspector-rank officer.