The Indian Army, long celebrated as a symbol of discipline and patriotism, has repeatedly failed to protect its women officers from sexual harassment, assault, and intimidation.
Reports from 2015 to 2025 reveal deep-rooted systemic corruption and a culture of impunity that leave women vulnerable even as they serve the nation.
High-profile cases highlight systemic failures
In 2025, a disturbing case emerged from the 1 Armoured Division in Patiala, where a woman Major accused a serving Lieutenant Colonel of sexual harassment.
Rather than following the procedures outlined under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), authorities bypassed the required Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and initiated an internal “inquiry.”
Reports suggest the victim faced intense pressure to withdraw her complaint, reflecting a blatant disregard for the safety and dignity of women officers.
This case is part of a broader pattern across India’s armed forces over the last decade:
- Signal Corps, 2015 – A Captain accused a senior Colonel of sexual harassment. Army responses were slow, and only after a prolonged inquiry was prima facie evidence found against the senior officer.
- Major convicted in General Court Martial, 2021–2025 – A Major was convicted of sexually abusing an 11-year-old domestic worker. Justice came only after court intervention, highlighting gaps in internal accountability.
- Indian Air Force, Srinagar, 2024 – A female officer faced prolonged harassment and assault by a Wing Commander. Despite filing a police case, the accused was granted anticipatory bail, underlining institutional bias.
- Brigadier accused by Colonel’s wife, Meghalaya, 2024–2025 – In Shillong, a Brigadier allegedly harassed and threatened a Colonel’s wife. Investigations stalled with no arrests made.
- Indore mob assault case, Madhya Pradesh, 2024 – Army officers and associates were implicated in mob assault and sexual abuse, raising serious questions about the safety of officers and their families.
- Alleged cover-ups in Odisha, 2025 – Colonel Amit Kumar accused senior generals and brigadiers of raping his wife. Police reportedly intimidated the family, and no FIR or investigation was initiated.
- Court Martial in Chandigarh, 2025 – A Colonel was dismissed for an illicit affair with another officer’s wife, involving repeated hotel stays and forged documentation, revealing moral and ethical decay among senior leadership.
Systemic patterns and institutional shortcomings
Experts and reports point to recurring trends within the military:
- Women officers face harassment not only from superiors but also from a wider culture of intimidation and silence.
- Military hierarchy and misuse of rank allow perpetrators to evade accountability, while victims are pressured to retract complaints.
- Legal protections, including the POSH Act, are often circumvented, and effective Internal Complaints Committees remain absent.
- Civilian judicial oversight is limited, particularly under AFSPA and in insurgency-affected regions, leaving victims without recourse.
- While reporting has increased, meaningful institutional reform and enforcement remain largely absent, perpetuating a hostile environment.
A decade of unchecked abuse
These cases, verified through media reports and judicial records, reveal a troubling contradiction: the Indian Army’s professed values of honour, discipline, and patriotism are undermined by systemic sexual harassment, abuse of power, and institutional negligence.
The women officers, who risk their lives defending the nation, are left vulnerable to abuse, highlighting there are no transparent reforms and real accountability within India’s military apparatus.