Army Court Martial orders dismissal of lady officer

An Army Court Martial has ordered "dismissal" of a woman officer who a year back had accused her seniors of sexually harassing her, but her allegations were found false.

"The Court Martial has ordered her dismissal from service. Captain Poonam Kaur had been charged on 11 counts including disobedience, making false allegations against superior officers and addressing the media pertaining to service matters," Kaur's counsel, Col (retd) S K Aggarwal said on Saturday.

Kaur had a year ago alleged that three officers of her unit, the Army Supply Corps (ASC) in Kalka, Haryana had physically and sexually harassed her and confined her illegally when she resisted their advances.

A court of inquiry (COI) had then been ordered to investigate the allegations of physical and mental harassment levelled by Capt Kaur against her superior officers.

She had accused three of her seniors, including her commanding officer, the unit's second-in-command and adjutant, a Colonel, Lt Col and a Major rank officer respectively of harassing her over the past few months.

However, in an immediate reaction then, the Army had denied the charges.

"The Court Martial proceedings which were initiated last year against Capt Kaur in its order at Patiala yesterday have ordered her dismissal from service, which will be subject to confirmation by the Western Command chief, a process which may take two months," Aggarwal said.