The Hindu : Karnataka News : AIDWA remarks misleading: IAF

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 20, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

AIDWA remarks misleading: IAF

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Indian Air Force has denied the charges of the All India Democratic Women's Association on ensuring a fair trial of Flying Officer Anjali Gupta and termed it "misleading and malicious."

Reacting to the statements of the AIDWA general secretary, K.S. Vimala, on Thursday, the IAF spokesman, Wg. Cdr. V.M. Raghunath, told The Hindu on Thursday that it was the Chief of the Air Staff who has repeatedly assured that Ms. Gupta will get a fair trail. "It is in this spirit that the general court martial (GCM) has been thrown open to the media," he said.

On Ms. Vimala's concern over Ms. Gupta being kept in under close arrest, Wg. Cdr. Raghunath said she made the statement without being conversant with the prevailing laws of the armed forces or being aware of the Air Force Act.

He said a person would be placed under close arrest for three reasons — when he/ she is likely to abscond, when she is likely to tamper with evidence, or when he/she is likely to cause harm to him/herself or any other person. Ms. Gupta has been placed under close arrest as she has stated in a letter to Karnataka State Commission for Women that she is on the verge of taking her life, he said.

An officer under close arrest continues to remain on the premises of the Officers' Mess enjoying all the facilities available on the premises.

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