Woman Army officer accuses seniors of sexual harassment

CHANDIGARH: An Army officer in Haryanaon Tuesday levelled charges of sexual harassment against her seniors, bringingthe force���s claims of 'greatly valuing' the contribution of women to itsranks under further scrutiny. (Watch)CaptPoonam Kaur of Army supply corps, who is posted at Kalka, accused her seniors,including her commanding officer, of "sexually and mentally harassing" her inthe past few months. An Army spokesperson denied the charges.Theshocking allegations of the woman officer come at a time when a Major General isfacing court martial at Bathinda on similar charges.Talking to on the phone, Capt Poonam Kauralleged that her commanding officer Col R K Sharma, Lt Col Ajay Chawla and MajorSuraj Bhan had physically and mentally harassed her after she turned down theirphysical advances. She also accused them of keeping her in illegalconfinement in her quarters at the Kalka military station. Capt Poonam Kaurclaimed the harassment has been going on ever since her posting to the ASC unit,Kalka, in October 2007. She said her efforts to resolve the problem with theintervention of Army authorities failed on Tuesday, when her mother and youngerbrother, who were staying with her, were thrown out of the quarters and she wasillegally detained there."They used to call me to the office withoutany reason and would force me to stay during late-night parties," she claimed,adding when the seniors' conduct became unbearable, she asked her grandmotherand mother to stay with her."On Sunday, I wrote to the MajorGeneral," she said. However, subsequently, her mother and brother were thrownout of the units on Tuesday, she added.Denying the allegations, a defence spokesman said anofficer of the rank of Major General visited the Kalka unit and saw for himselfthat Capt Poonam Kaur had not been put under house arrest. "TheMajor General, ASC, visited the ASC Battalion where he met the commandingofficer and tried to meet the woman officer. However, she refused to emerge outof her quarters," the spokesperson added. The Army officials said on June 30,Capt Poonam Kaur was ordered to move to Pathankot for commanding a detachment ofher unit located there. Though she accepted the orders, the officer- citing personal reasons - requested to leave by July 11, they said, addingwhen asked again on July 11, she asked for permission to go by July 12. This wasalso agreed to, the officials said.