It had been alleged that the accused officer repeatedly demanded sexual favours from the complainant and also passed objectionable comments her, while touching her inappropriately.
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court recently dismissed a sexual harassment case filed by a female Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot against a Wing Commander, following a mutual agreement between the parties involved.
Justice Rajnesh Oswal stated that continuing the investigation under Section 354A (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code would be pointless and a futile effort after the settlement between the complainant and the accused.
“In view of the above, FIR … registered with the Police Station, Satwari for commission offence under Section 354-A IPC is quashed. The contesting parties shall not publicise the matter and the controversy, which has now been settled between the parties in any manner, whatsoever,” the Court ordered.
The order was issued in response to the Wing Commander’s petition challenging the 2021 FIR filed against him based on the female officer’s complaint.
The complaint alleged that the officer repeatedly solicited sexual favors from the complainant, made inappropriate comments, and touched her inappropriately.
While the petition was pending, the accused reached out to the complainant to propose a settlement.
The female officer agreed to the settlement and subsequently provided her consent for the quashing of the FIR, according to the order.
“The petitioner too has stated that he will remain bound by the said communication and the dispute between the contesting parties has been settled. He has further stated that matter will never be publicised or put on social media by him,” the Court recorded in the order, while quashing the FIR.