Following the discovery of a 27-year-old cadet trainee dead on the college campus, six air force officials have been charged with murder in Bengaluru, according to the police. According to reports, the event happened on Saturday at the Air Force Technical College (AFTC) in Jalahalli.
The cadet trainee allegedly committed suicide after a court of inquiry was ordered against him.
In his note of suicide, the cadet trainee Ankit Kumar Jha identified officers with the ranks of air commodore, wing commander, and group captain.
Ankit Jha’s family claims that he was subjected to frequent abuse and torture on the college grounds.
Ankit Jha was relieved of his duties after disciplinary action was started against him, claim the investigating officers. Training of deceased Under Trainee Flying Officer was terminated by IAF on charge of misconduct after complaint by a fellow female trainee officer: IAF official statement.
With regard to the FIR registered against IAF officers for murder with regard to the suicide of Under Trainee Flying Officer (UTFO) Ankit Kumar Jha, IAF says His training had been terminated on 20 September 2022.
His training was terminated after informing his father of the same. Termination of training was the result of recommendations made by a Court of Inquiry (COI), which was instituted following a complaint by a fellow woman trainee officer against the UTFO on 30 June 2022.
It had been established that the cadet had committed certain acts of misconduct. The Inquiry proceedings were duly examined at multiple levels before being approved at Air HQ, as per established procedure on the subject, says IAF.
A Court of Inquiry by IAF is underway to establish the circumstances leading to the death of the UTFO. On 24 September 2022, his kin visited AFTC. They were briefed about the incident.
IAF adds that it condoles the unfortunate loss of life and prays for strength to the bereaved family in their time of grief. IAF is cooperating with the investigation being conducted by the police on the matter.
