Woman army officer alleges sexual harassment by senior commanding officer

New Delhi: A woman Army officer of the rank of Captain, who had taken part in the Republic Day parade this year to showcase Nari Shakti (woman power), has filed a sexual harassment case against her commanding officer, an officer of the rank of Colonel.

With the Army’s ‘Complaints Committee on Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace’ now swinging into action, orders have been issued for “necessary action” against the Colonel concerned as per the rules with an opportunity to “give an explanation” for his actions.

The woman officer’s father has also now written a letter to defence minister Manohar Parrikar accusing the “higher officers” of giving the Colonel a “plum posting” in the name of taking action.

“I am the proud father of an Army Officer who marched down the Rajpath to showcase the ‘woman power’. I am absolutely disappointed today and the reason is that my daughter was sexually harassed by her Commanding Officer and she complained to the higher ups. In the name of taking action, the higher officials gave him a plum posting and the commanding officer decided to tarnish the image of my child...If this is the way the Indian Army treats its daughters, I am not sure if any parent will ever send their daughter to the Army,” the letter said.

The complaint comes at a time when there are debates on inclusion of women in combat role.