New Delhi: Newly-appointed Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari said Tuesday that no two-finger test was done on a female officer. He countered the allegation by asserting that she not subjected to the banned test. Vivek Ram Chaudhari also said that she had not been 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 said.
An IAF official in Coimbatore has been charged with sexual assault of a woman colleague September 10. The 28-year-old female Air Force officer has levelled serious charges against IAF authorities. She has alleged that she was subjected to a banned finger test and also forcing her to withdraw the complaint against the accused Flight Lieutenant. However, Chaudhari asserted that the guilty will be punished.
Chaudhari also said that the IAF is committed to the theaterisation programme. He pointed out that initiative needs to be taken forward considering various key aspects involving the three forces. “Various options are being discussed among three forces,” the IAF chief said. Chaudhari added that discussions are required before new structures are put in place.
The theatre commands are being planned to integrate capabilities of the three services and to ensure optimal utilisation of their resources.
Chaudhari was addressing a press conference ahead of Air Force Day, October 8. He asserted the IAF is fully prepared to deal with any security challenge in eastern Ladakh. He informed that new infrastructure created by the Chinese side in the region will not affect India’s combat readiness. The Chief of Air Staff said India is fully ready to deal with a ‘two-front’ war scenario involving China and Pakistan.
The IAF chief said the force’s strike capability has become more potent with induction of Rafale jets and various weapons.