Two news reports appearing in succession have failed to create the necessary impact in the defence circles. The first was about serious breaches of security, violations of disciplinary code, and deviations from gentlemanly conduct expected of officers. The second was the defence ministry’s announcement about the issue of notice for termination of service of the alleged offenders, which appeared to be a hurried effort to hush up the grave breaches of behavioural norms
The incident involved a post-graduate student and resident of Delhi, who was sent to Air Force Station, Ambala, in September 2022 as part of her internship with the Institute of Aerospace Safety. The accused, a Wing Commander, befriended her. He later met her at a Connaught Place hotel seeking a stress assessment test and allegedly raped her. Later, he profusely apologised, and told her he was a bachelor. He professed his love for her and entered into a live-in relationship, promising to marry her. She stayed with him in the official house allotted to him at Ambala. He took her to numerous Air Force parties, and even tried to arrange fake marriage ceremonies with a view to mislead her.
The victim, in her formal complaint, blamed the officer for ill-treatment, exploitation, and abuse over a period of time at the Air Force station. She submitted the details about the nature and location of such incidents in a chronological order. She was allegedly taken to even restricted military areas such as flying areas and officers’ club, and also to his hometown in Bengal, and showed her as his spouse for availing leave travel concessions. He took her for medical treatment at a military hospital and claimed travel allowances.
According to the victim, the accused made her accompany him to different locations—Jaisalmer, Phalodi, Pathankot, and Amritsar—while he was on duty. She stayed at the accommodations arranged for him, and he submitted inflated and fake bills for some such outstation visits.
The commanding and several other officers were allegedly aware of the marital status of the accused. But strangely, her presence at numerous social events at the Air Force station, which failed to arouse any concerns, suggests the prevalence of a permissive culture regarding such interactions.
Despite the gravity of these allegations and the submission of corroborating documentary and photographic evidence, as the victim has alleged, there was no acknowledgment or response to her complaint from high-ranking officials, including the offices of the defence minister and the Air Chief. The Supreme Court’s Vishaka Guidelines about investigation by internal complaint committee were disregarded. No woman officer is known to reached out to the victim, informing her about the support systems available for women victims of sexual harassment. Issues concerning workplace security for women, especially young interns and single females, have seemingly gone unaddressed.
The incident has highlighted serious violations of military discipline, fraudulent financial transactions, and risking the safety of aircraft and armament in an active air base. Yet, the Indian Air Force decided to administratively deal with the principal offender, and not through the military’s judicial process. The stance appears to be intriguing giving rise to avoidable speculations, and raises critical questions about the systems in place for law enforcement and the administration of justice.
The episode at hand lasted over a year and was not a solitary lapse. There was a series of offences like falsifying documents (TA bill of hotels), wrongful gains (claiming LTC showing the girl as his wife), security breaches (taking her to restricted areas in a combat formation), unbecoming conduct, and many other breaches of military law. The accusations, which indicate flagrant violations of the statutory military code, call for disciplinary action by way of court-martial.
A report submitted to the Delhi State Commission for Women on December 16, 2023, appears to have been entirely ignored. This sends a distressing message about the safety and security of women at workplaces.
The proper and only legal disposal of the matter would warrant the recording of evidence leading to a trial by court martial. Elaborate questioning at the court martial would have shown loopholes, if any, in the system and likely connivance or complicity of other officers.
However, only a show-cause notice is issued prior to dismissal from service by resort to administrative action. A judicial outcome would have resulted in a verdict just and fair, capable of setting an example to the rank and file.
Military leadership utilises a number of aids to monitor and assess the capability and efficacy of its personnel. Personnel visits, official communications, intelligence inputs and social interactions, performance reports, and welfare association all provide the commanders access to the pulse of the subordinate formations.
The Air Force has repeatedly announced its commitment to a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy for such misconduct. Such proclamations of ‘Zero Tolerance’ for disciplinary breaches and in matters involving moral turpitude have not been evident in the handling of such cases. The handling may for a long time serve as a ‘bad example’ in case studies.
The latest acquisition of equipment, and moderning of the force are vital needs to enhance combat potential. But the moral fiber and mental makeup of the air warriors is equally a prime requisite for military performance.
The author is a retired judge advocate-general of the Indian Army. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
