National

Antony orders probe into ‘harassment’ of woman officer

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Wednesday ordered a probe into allegations of harassment by a woman officer of the Army, even as the Army termed it a “simple case” of indiscipline and disobedience of orders by a junior officer.

The Haryana-based officer, Capt. Poonam Kaur, had approached the media to charge three of her superiors with “physically and mentally” torturing her.

But the Army asked the media to “show patience” as “allegations by anyone should in itself not become a reason for the national media to make an issue of it in a manner that undermines the reputation of many others, including the Army as an institution.”

“Providing a medium for the ill-intended to hurl accusations and deriding comments against others would be the greatest disservice that can be done to the ethic and rules of justice and fair play,” said a senior Army officer.

On the other hand, Capt. Kaur says her family members were sent away from her official accommodation, she was asked to have liquor and attempts were made by the officers to visit her late in the night.

The Army in an official news release maintained that she disobeyed “legal and legitimate orders.” The lady officer was not under house arrest as she had alleged. The Army claimed that during her last posting in Assam, she had “indulged” in similar activities.

“She refused to carry out her assigned duties and when questioned alleged ‘mental harassment.’ The charges were inquired into and disciplinary action was contemplated. Keeping in view her young age and the pleadings of her mother, she was let off. However, her mental weakness was recorded in her profile.”

In a similar case, an Indian Air Force officer was dismissed from service after she charged her superiors with sexual harassment. She later chose not to approach the civil courts.

In another instance, the complaint by a lady officer of the Army was upheld amidst a media trial in which the family of the general officer backed him.

Another officer committed suicide, but no charges were made by her. The officer’s mother later said she was disillusioned with the Army.

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