IAF woman flying officer accuses Wing Commander of rape in Srinagar, says was forced into oral sex

The FIR has been filed at Budgam police station in Jammu and Kashmir. Both the complainant and the accused are based in Srinagar.

The Indian Air Force has assured the authorities of cooperation in 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 told NDTV.

In her complaint, the flying officer has said she has been suffering harassment, sexual assault, and mental torture over the past two years.

As per the complainant, on Dec 31, 2023, during a New Year party at the officers' mess, her senior first asked her if she had revived the gift. When she said she had not, the Wing Commander took her to his room saying the gifts were there. On asking about his family whereabouts, the male officer 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 on Friday again when his family leaves," she has said.

The flying officer said it took her a while to register what happened to her.

"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 woman officer said she reached out to two other women colleagues, who advised her to file a 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.

Following her complaint, she said a Colonel-rank officer was ordered to investigate the incident.

The Wing Commander was made to sit down with her twice in January this year to record the statements, she has alleged. The flying officer said she objected to the senior officer's presence and later the investigation was closed to "hide mistakes of administration".

She then filed a fresh application to the internal committee and it was looked after 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.

"I requested for interim relief and requested for leave multiple times but I was denied leave each time," she said, alleging that her requests for a different posting for herself or the Wing Commander were not heeded either.

"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 FIR, the Internal Committee said that it is inconclusive whether the incident happened due to 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?"

The flying officer has complained of "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 the ongoing harassment has had a severe impact on 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.