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In a written complaint to Colaba police station, the woman alleged that the senior police officer groped her at his south Mumbai office on Monday.In a written complaint to Colaba police station, the woman alleged that the senior police officer groped her … Read More

NEW DELHI: In yet another sexual harassment case in the armed forces, a young naval doctor has accused her senior of molesting her twice earlier this month in New Delhi.

The Navy has sent the accused, a surgeon commander, on forced leave and promised stringent action if he is found guilty of the charges. The surgeon commander (equivalent to a Lt Colonel in Army), who was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal on Republic Day this year, is posted at the naval administrative and logistics establishment in the capital called INS India.

The Board of Inquiry (BoI), headed by a Captain-rank officer, has submitted its report on the matter to Naval Headquarters, which is now finalising the proceedings. “The Navy has a zero-tolerance policy on such matters. If the accused is found guilty, he can be summarily dismissed from service,” said an officer.

 

The first incident of molestation allegedly took place at a Vice-Admiral’s residence on May 6. The two doctors were there to examine the bed-ridden mother of the Vice-Admiral, who was away on official duty. The surgeon lieutenant has complained that the accused ‘groped her’ when she went to use the bathroom at the house. The woman complained to senior officers, including the commanding officer of INS India and the controller of personnel services, but that did not deter the accused from misbehaving with her yet again the next day.
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“The BoI was instituted on May 9. Wait for the full inquiry to conclude and we can assure you that justice will be done,” said the officer.

 

The armed forces have been rocked by several sex scandals over the last few years. The IAF had sacked a fighter pilot for having an affair with a senior officer’s wife in Jodhpur. The Navy, in turn, sacked two officers in Mumbai, for having an extramarital affair and for sending lewd text messages.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Decorated-Navy-doctor-accused-of-groping-junior-at-Vice-Admiral-home/articleshow/52440847.cms