No two-finger test conducted on Coimbatore rape survivor: IAF chief

An Indian Air Force official in Coimbatore has been charged with sexual assault of a woman colleague on September 10

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Tuesday denied conducting a two-finger test on an IAF lady officer, who was allegedly sexually assaulted at the IAF training academy in Coimbatore.

"No two-finger test was conducted. We are well aware of the rules," Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said replying to a question on the matter.

"We will take disciplinary action in the case based on the inquiry report."

Last month Flight Lieutenant Amitesh Harmukh was arrested by the police for sexually assaulting a woman officer on September 10, in the college premises following a complaint from the victim, who approached the police claiming IAF authorities did not act on her complaint.

Also read: Forced to withdraw complaint, subjected to banned test, alleges sexually assaulted IAF officer

As Harmukh was in judicial custody, the IAF moved the court seeking his custody for further inquiry and court-martial procedure if required, observing that local police had no jurisdiction to investigate and arrest him as it is a defence matter.

The woman had also alleged that she was subjected to the intrusive “two-finger test” at the Air Force Hospital to ascertain rape. The Supreme Court banned such tests way back in May 2013, observing that such tests violate a survivor's right to privacy.

A local court in Tamil Nadu allowed the IAF to conduct a thorough probe into the case, days after the initial investigation was carried out by the police.

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