Air force chief denies allegation of two finger test in rape case

New Delhi: Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari denied the allegation by a female officer which said that banned two finger test was conducted and questioned about her “sexual history” in the rape case against a fellow colleague.

“No two finger test was done…Disciplinary action will be taken based on report of inquiry,” the IAF Chief was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The accused 29-year-old Flight Lieutenant will be tried under the Court Martial Act, a court in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore ruled on Thursday as the case was handed over to the India Air Force (IAF).

The National Commission for Women condemned the allegation on Thursday and said it has raised the issue with the IAF stressing that it is ” .. utterly disappointed and strongly condemns the action of Indian Air Force doctors conducting the banned two-finger test on the victim, thereby violating the Supreme Court’s decision and also violating the right to privacy and dignity of the victim.”

The assault took place two weeks ago inside victim’s room at the Air Force Administrative College in Coimbatore’s Redfields, according to the woman who traveled to the Air Force College for training. The woman said that she was injured on the day of assault and she had taken medicines before going to her room. After she awoke she relaised she was sexually assaulted.

She said she was forced to go to the police because she was not satisfied with action taken by the IAF.

Twice, she said, she was made to submit a withdrawal – of the complaint letter – in writing and another time, she was asked to sign a letter with changes made, which she refused to sign.

The initial investigation was carried out by an all-women team from the city’s Gandhipuram Police Station. A case of sexual assault under section 376 was registered.