IAF chief assures fair inquiry into harassment case

Air Chief S P Tyagi on Tuesday said he will accord full protection to Indian Air Force officer Anjali Gupta, who has levelled sexual harassment charges against three officers.

He assured that her complaint will be examined in a 'transparent and fair manner but according to rules'.

"There are 600 women officers in the IAF and my prime duty is to ensure that any complaint from a woman officer is inquired into in a just manner," Air Chief Marshal Tyagi told journalists.

"Gupta has given a written complaint of sexual harassment to me as well as to the defence ministry and we are making sure that it is looked into in a speedy manner and that the process of law is followed," he said, asserting that his prime effort will be to ensure discipline in the force.

Tyagi said Gupta had lodged the complaint only after court martial proceedings were in progress against her on 13 charges, including insubordination.

Both the inquiries will go on simultaneously, he said.

Gupta is the first woman officer against whom the IAF has initiated court martial proceedings. She is accused of financial irregularities and acts unbecoming of an officer.

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