'Will jeopardise his reputation, service career': IAF wing commander gets pre-arrest bail in assault case
PTC News Desk: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday granted pre-arrest bail to a Wing Commander of the Indian Air Force who is facing sexual assault allegations. The Jammu and Kashmir Police filed a FIR on Sunday after a woman Flying Officer complained of rape by the Wing Commander.
"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," read the bail order.
The high court directed the police not to file a charge sheet in the case without its authorisation. "This court has allowed the investigation to continue. However, we direct that the chargesheet shall not be filed without the permission of this court," the order stated.
The single-judge bench directed the Union Territory administration's Additional Advocate General to produce a status report by the next hearing date. It said that the Wing Commander should be released on bail if arrested. The high court ordered the accused Wing Commander to meet with the investigating officer between September 14 and 16, and whenever needed thereafter.
The accused must provide a Rs 50,000 surety, cannot leave Jammu and Kashmir without the consent of his commanding officer, and may not contact any prosecution witness, according to the high court.
In her complaint, the 26-year-old Flying Officer said she had been subjected to harassment, sexual assault, and mental torture for the past two years.
- PTC NEWS
