IAF man in Israel faces child abuse charge

A non-commissioned officer of the Indian Air Force has been accused of child molestation in Israel.

The junior warrant officer, equivalent in rank to a subedar, was posted at the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv. The IAF has recalled the JWO after a couple lodged a police complaint accusing him of attempting to molest their six-year-old child.

The couple told the police the accused had tried to molest the child in an elevator last November. The police arrested the JWO, who was accused of showing extraordinary affection towards the child.

An air force inquiry conducted after his repatriation to India corroborated the charges against him. IAF sources said, “The accused was due for a five-year extension of service after putting in 20 years. But he has been shown the door as penalty.” In his defence, the accused said it was customary in India to show fondness towards kids.

Last year, 12 Indian peacekeepers were accused of sexual abuse in the Democratic Republic of Congo.