A court in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore on Thursday, September 30, ruled that a 29-year-old Flight Lieutenant accused of rape by a colleague will face trial under the Court Martial Act, as
the case was handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The accused was arrested on September 26.
The female officer who was at the Air Force College for training said the assault occurred in her room at the Coimbatore Redfields.
The officer claimed that IAF’s inaction on her original complaint led her to complain about the local police. She also said that she was made to withdraw her complaint twice and once
was asked to sign a letter with changes made, which she refused to sign.
She was allegedly subjected to the prohibited two-finger test and was questioned about her sexual history by IAF (Indian Air Force) medics. All of this made her "relive the trauma of
the sexual assault," she said.
Also Read: Women Air Force Officer subjected to banned "2-Finger Test" in connection to rape case probe
The National Commission for Women said in a statement on Thursday that it has raised the issue with the Indian Air Force, adding 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 as well as the victim's right to privacy and dignity."
The woman claimed she had injured herself while playing on the day of the assault, which was around two weeks ago. She then took some medication before going to her room for the night. Later,
on waking up, she discovered that she had been sexually assaulted.
Police claimed they only intervened after learning that the female officer was unsatisfied with the Air Force's handling of her complaint.
Despite his lawyer's objections, the accused was arrested on Sunday. "The Coimbatore Police do not have the power to arrest an Air Force officer," the lawyer told the cops
after presenting his case in court.
In the midst of the uproar, the IAF issued a statement on Thursday that read: "The IAF is cooperating the police investigation while also conducting its own internal investigation.
We cannot comment any further as the matter is sub judice."
IAF officer accused of raping colleague to face Court Martial
The victim was allegedly subjected to the prohibited two-finger test and was questioned about her sexual history by IAF medics.
