The Air Force Wing Commander who recently made headlines for rape, molestation and harassment allegations by a junior colleague has been granted a pre-arrest bail on Friday by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on the pretext of avoiding reputational damage.

The bail order stated, “As the petitioner who is serving as Wing Commander… and in case of his arrest his reputation as well as the service career shall be jeopardised.”

The court directed not to file chargesheet

The High Court order came a day after an FIR was lodged on the basis of the complaint filed by the flying officer. The court in its statement also directed the police not to file any chargesheet in this case without the court’s permission. Notably, the FIR has been lodged under the charges of Section 376 (rape) which typically is a non-bailable offense.

“This court has allowed the investigation to continue. However, we direct that the chargesheet shall not be filed without the permission of this court”, said the order of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

Sexual assault on New Year’s Eve

The flying officer in her complaint has alleged that she has been suffering from sexual assault and mental torture for the last two years. Her complaint mentions an incident of the New Year’s Eve party in 2023 when the Wing Commander allegedly asked her to come to his room to collect the gift.

“Did you get the gift?” asked the senior officer to which she replied in a no. He then allegedly called her to his room to collect it. When she reached, none from his family were present. The junior officer writes in her complaint that he then forced her into oral sex and molested her. “I repeatedly asked him to stop doing it and resisted in all possible ways. Finally, I pushed him and ran away”, she said.

Also read: Separatists and Banned Jamaat-e-Islami Members Enter Jammu and Kashmir Electoral Fray

The Budgam police have initiated an investigation and the Indian Air Force has ensured its full cooperation. The court’s bail granted to the Wing Commander includes two sureties of Rs. 50,000 each and the accused has been restricted from leaving the station without prior permission of his commanding officer.