Delhi High Court Suspends Jail Sentence of IAF Officer in Controversial Rape Case

The Delhi High Court has intervened in a high-profile rape case involving an Indian Air Force officer by suspending his decade-long jail sentence. This decision came after grave concerns were raised regarding the fidelity of the evidence presented against him. The officer, who was initially convicted in 2021 for allegedly raping a female colleague at the Air Force Administrative College in Coimbatore, has been granted bail after serving four years of his sentence.

The case's complexity stems from disputed video confessions and testimonies from fellow officers, which the defense argued were made under duress to protect the alleged victim's reputation. The high court emphasized that while rape conviction can stand on a single testimony, this instance's evidence was insufficiently robust due to the complainant's lack of memory regarding the incident.

Highlighting the risk of the officer serving most, if not all, of his sentence before his appeal is concluded, the court criticized delays by the Armed Forces Tribunal. It has now urged for a swift appeal process, spotlighting the necessity of detailed scrutiny in cases bearing significant human equity and legal precedents.

(With inputs from agencies.)