A disturbing pattern of sexual harassment cases has shaken the Indian Army, exposing deep flaws in its system of accountability. Despite being known as a disciplined and patriotic force, the Army has repeatedly failed to protect its women officers from harassment and intimidation.

In 2025, a woman Major from the 1 Armoured Division in Patiala accused a Lieutenant Colonel of sexual harassment. Instead of following the law under the POSH Act, authorities conducted an internal inquiry and ignored the required Internal Complaints Committee process. Reports suggest the victim was pressured to withdraw her complaint.

This is not an isolated case. Since 2015, several similar incidents have surfaced across India’s armed forces, from senior officers accused of harassing juniors to cases of assault and moral misconduct. In many instances, investigations were delayed, evidence was ignored, and accused officers were protected by their ranks.

Experts say misuse of military hierarchy, lack of independent oversight, and failure to enforce POSH guidelines have created a culture of impunity. Over the past decade, repeated scandals have revealed that India’s women officers continue to fight not just for their country but for dignity, justice, and safety within their own ranks.