Sexual harassment allegations: Court seeks response from Defence and Air Force officials

JAMMU — A female Air Force pilot has moved the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, alleging that she was sexually harassed by her Flight Commander.

The female officer in her petition has said that she was posted to Awantipur in south Kashmir and then two years later to Jammu, where the accused officer was posted as a Flight Commander. The woman officer claimed the sexual harassment began during this period.

The petitioner in her petition has said that the accused officer passed lewd remarks whenever he would get any chance.

In her plea, the woman IAF officer alleged that the accused repeatedly demanded sexual favours from her and passed objectionable comments against her. She also accused the IAF officer of touching her inappropriately.

In the plea, the woman officer also mentioned the unfair manner of inquiry by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). She has sought a direction to the ICC to hold a fair inquiry and also prayed for the transfer of the accused person, so that he does not harass her and other witnesses.

Justice Sanjeev Kumar of the J&K High Court issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Defence and Air Force officials, and asked them to file their responses within four weeks. The HC also stayed the proceedings before the ICC.

The case has been listed for the next hearing on May 10 next month.