Court of Inquiry to convene against Army Colonel over sexual harassment

New Delhi: The Army has convened a Court of Inquiry against a Colonel accused of sexual harassment by a young woman officer, who had taken part in the Republic Day parade this year to showcase 'Nari Shakti' (women's power).

On receipt of complaint by the 26-year-old Captain of the Signal Corps, posted at Alwar Military Station in Rajasthan, against her then Commanding Officer, the Standing Committee led by another woman officer had carried out preliminary investigation.

"On completion and submission of report by the Standing Committee a Court of Inquiry has been convened for detailed investigation of the case. Based on findings of the Court of Inquiry, appropriate action will be taken as per law," sources in the Army Headquarters said.

They added that Indian Army remains committed to upholding highest standards of ethical behaviour by all ranks. "Any instance of such misdemeanor will not be condoned," the sources said.

The woman officer's father had also written a letter to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar accusing the "higher officers" of giving the accused a "plum posting" in the name of taking action.

Though the original complaint was filed nearly two months ago, the committee on sexual harassment of women at workplace met only earlier this month. It has recommended "necessary action" against her commanding officer. The officer was commissioned into the Indian Army only in March 2013.

"I am the proud father of an Army Officer who marched down the Rajpath this year to showcase the 'woman power'. I am absolutely disappointed today and the reason is that my daughter was sexually harassed by her Commanding Officer.

"In the name of taking action, the higher officials gave him a plum posting and, before leaving the unit, the commanding officer decided to tarnish the image of my child. Now my little child is trying her best to not let her head drop or shoulders drool," the letter by her father said.

He said that since now his daughter's complaint has finally come to the internal committee on sexual harassment, he is sure the case will get a well-deserved hearing.

The complaint comes at a time when there is a renewed debate in the defence echelons about how to increase the role of women officers in combat position.