Kashmir

Indian Air Force Wing Commander faces rape charges as Kashmir Police act on female officer’s complaint

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) after a female Flying Officer (Fg Offr) alleged rape, mental harassment, and continuous stalking by a Wing Commander of the Air Force Station in Srinagar.

The FIR has been lodged against Wing Commander PK Sehrawat at the Police Station Budgam under Section 376(2) of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to aggravated rape committed by persons in positions of authority.

This action follows a complaint wherein serious allegations were made by a female officer against a senior officer at the Air Force Station in Srinagar.

According to FIR, a copy of which in the possession of Srinagar based news agency Kashmir Dot Com, the complainant, a young female officer (name withheld), has accused Wing Commander PK Sehrawat of sexual assault and harassment. The incident reportedly occurred on the night of December 31, 2023, during a New Year’s party held at the Officers’ Mess. The officer alleges that Sehrawat sexually assaulted her in his room after asking her to collect a gift. Despite her repeated pleas to stop and attempts to resist, she was forced into a distressing situation.

In her complaint, the victim writes of a troubling series of events following the assault. The complainant claims that the investigation was mishandled, with significant delays and procedural lapses. Despite her efforts to report the incident, she faced considerable obstacles, including a lack of timely medical examination and biased treatment from the Internal Committee formed to investigate the case.

The complaint further alleges that instead of receiving support, she encountered continuous harassment, including unwarranted monitoring of her personal communications and social interactions. She claims that this ongoing harassment has led to severe psychological distress and has significantly impacted her mental health.

Meanwhile, the Police Station Budgam has assigned an Inspector rank officer to oversee the investigation of the sensitive case. — (KDC)