May 14:
The Navy, which has faced several allegations of indecent behaviour regarding its officers in recent weeks, has been hit by another controversy with the wife of a serving officer alleging that she had being forced into getting sexually involved with her husband's colleagues and is also facing mental and physical torture.
The charges came on a day that Defence Minister A K Antony asked top Naval commanders to take strongest possible action against personnel who engaged in 'inappropriate behaviour' and tarnished the Navy's image. The Navy, however, pointed out several inconsistencies in the account of the woman.
Sources said the woman, who met Antony on Tuesday and urged him to take action, has alleged that her husband, who is currently posted in Karwar, forced her to consume alcohol and get sexually involved with other officers posted at the naval base. The two have been married for over a year.
Sources in the Navy said they have been facing issues of marital discord in recent months; the couple, who were married in February last year, got separated in August. They also reached an agreement on April 18 regarding a mutual divorce and had some monetary compensation involved, sources said.
The allegations are against a serving Lt Commander (equivalent to a Major in the Army), who is said to be shortly posted in Russia for work on board the INS Vikramaditya that is undergoing a refit. The woman alleged that her husband made her perform acts against her wishes and warned that he would post implicating photographs of her on the Internet if she disclosed his actions to anyone. The woman asked Antony to initiate an inquiry against the officer.
Sources said the minister, who first received a copy of the complaint on April 30, has taken up the matter with the Navy and ordered an inquiry.
This is the latest in a series of allegations of sexual misconduct that naval officers have faced in recent days.
While two officers were recently fired from service for sending obscene messages to women and 'stealing the affection of a brother officers wife', the wife of an officer based in Kerala had alleged that her husband forced her into a 'wife swapping' network within the Navy.
Navy facing operational constraints: Antony
New Delhi: Defence Minister A K Antony has for the first time admitted that the Navy is facing operational constraints due to the non-induction of new platforms. He identified conventional submarines, ship-borne helicopters and mine counter measure vessels as the three critical areas, deficiencies in which have caused 'operational constraints'. Antony was speaking at the annual naval commanders conference here. He said funds would not be a constraint for capital acquisition. However, at least one of these three projects is facing a delay due to the current economic crises.
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