Don’t comment on conduct of rape victims: CIC to Health Dept

The Central Information Commission has directed the Delhi government to ensure that doctors carrying out two-finger test on rape victims should not comment on their conduct after the govt justified the test for treatment of survivors and conviction of accused.

During a hearing before the Central Information Commission which sought to know whether the tests have been done with or they were continuing, an expert from Delhi government cited an advisory to the doctors which says ban on internal examination of a sexual assault survivor, may not only prove detrimental to her health but also result in injustice. “Expert gynaecologist Puneeta Mahajan represented that there was a misconception among the general public and media that Per Vaginal (PV) test, commonly referred as two-finger test, was being conducted on all rape victims routine,” Information Commissioner Sridhary Acharyulu pointed out. Mahajan, who appeared on behalf of health and family welfare department of Delhi government, stated that in some cases the tests were necessary to achieve conviction of rape accused and also for the purpose of treatment to the victim.