Indian Army Under Scrutiny: Repeated Allegations Raise Questions on Women’s Safety (2015–2025)

For years, India has projected its armed forces as symbols of discipline and national pride. However, repeated harassment complaints from women officers paint a troubling picture of systemic exploitation and weak institutional safeguards.

Across the past decade, multiple documented cases in the Indian Army and Air Force show serious lapses in handling sexual-harassment complaints, internal protection systems, and legal accountability.

Pattern of Complaints — and Institutional Silence

In 2025, a woman Major posted at 1 Armoured Division in Patiala accused a senior officer of sexual harassment. Instead of activating the legally required Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the POSH Act, senior officers reportedly launched an internal inquiry, pressuring the victim and bypassing civilian legal procedures.

This is not an isolated case. Several similar incidents from 2015 to 2025 suggest a deeper structural issue within Indian military ranks:

• 2015 – Signal Corps Captain vs Senior Colonel
  A female Captain accused a Colonel of sexual harassment. The inquiry moved slowly, highlighting procedural delays and resistance.

• 2021–2025 – Court Martial of a Major
  A Major was convicted for assaulting an 11-year-old domestic worker — only after court intervention, raising concerns about military justice independence.

• 2024 – Srinagar Air Force Case
  A woman officer reported harassment and assault by a Wing Commander. Despite filing a police complaint, the accused received anticipatory bail.

• 2024–2025 – Shillong Brigadier Case
  A Brigadier was accused of harassing a fellow officer’s wife. Police inquiries moved slowly, no arrest despite serious allegations.

• 2024 – Indore Group Assault Case
  Officers allegedly involved in mob assault and misconduct, raising public security concerns.

• 2025 – Odisha Allegations
  A Colonel accused senior officers of abusing his wife. No FIR registered, raising fears of cover-ups.

• 2025 – Chandigarh Misconduct Case
  A senior officer dismissed over inappropriate conduct involving fake documents and secret meetings.

A Culture of Silence and Immunity

Indian media and court records show consistent patterns:

• Victims pressured to withdraw complaints

• Bypassing of POSH Act mechanisms

• Dependency on military courts, limiting civilian oversight

• AFSPA and military privilege shielding senior ranks

• Gender-based intimidation culture within hierarchy

These cases challenge India’s claim of modern military reforms and gender equality in defence services.