In the current news that hit the media, the high court of Jammu and Kashmir has awarded pre-arrest bail for a Wing Commander of IAF who has been accused of rape. The action comes on the heels of an FIR lodged by a woman Flying Officer who claimed to have been raped by the Wing Commander after a New Year bash at the officers’ mess on 31-12-23.
The court order on the bail said that the wing commander’s arrest could affect his reputation and military career. It directed the police not to lodge a chargesheet except with the court’s permission so that the accused could be investigated under Judicial Supervision. An amount of ₹ 50000 surety binds the Wing Commander; he cannot escape the valley of Jammu and Kashmir without the consent of his superior. Also, he cannot communicate with any of the prosecution witnesses.
The 26-year-old Flying Officer who filed a complaint stated that the incidents of harassment and mental torture were reported in the last two years. She mentioned an occasion when the Wing Commander raped her, forcing her to indulge in sexual activities against her will while in his room. Still, she tried to fight him off; she said he did not even care to say sorry for forcing himself on her.
The officer consulted his peers and lodged a complaint, which later called for an investigation. However, she complains of bias in handling her case, saying that attempts were made to cover the accused. After weeks of investigation culminating with interviewing the remaining 3 employees who were on duty that night, the internal committee announced that it could not make headway precisely because it could not find a single eyewitness.
The current situation has negatively affected her mental health, making her experience high levels of fear and hopelessness. Allegations of continued sexual harassment and social exclusion. She said that her correspondence had been tampered with and her social life interfered with. The psychological effects of going through such an experience have taken a toll on her, and she feels like she can break down.
