Delhi withdraws two-finger test circular

The Delhi government will withdraw its earlier circular which ruled out the banning of the controversial two-finger test on rape survivors, reports Times of India.

The government will also initiate action against the officer who issued the circular.

Congress leader RPN Singh welcomed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's move to withdraw the test.

"It's unfortunate that the state government reintroduced the two-finger test for rape victims, but it's a good thing they are withdrawing it now," Singh said.

Meanwhile, lawyer and social activist Abha Singh questioned how the Delhi government can issue such a notification, despite a Supreme Court ruling to the contrary.

"Supreme Court has held that the two finger test is cruel, inhuman, degrading. It violates the mental and physical integrity and dignity of a rape victim.
What is surprising that after such clear SC guidelines how the AAP-led Delhi government has come out with a notification instructing hospitals to carry the two-finger test? Is this empowerment?" asked Singh.

Delhi government had issued an advisory to its hospitals stating that Per Vaginal (PV) examination, also referred to as 'two-finger test', for rape survivors can be conducted with their consent.

The advisory, based on a 14-page document made by an expert panel, claims doctors cannot be made to function under the constraint of a complete ban of this examination. "(Banning) may not only prove detrimental to her health but may also result in injustice," it adds.

A PV test involves insertion of finger into the rape survivor's private parts for assessment of internal injuries, use of force if any, noting any discharge and gathering of sample among others.

Activists have been demanding a ban on it citing instances where the examination had been used to judge habituation of the woman to sexual intercourse.

The Supreme Court in May 2013 had held that the test violates a survivor's right to privacy and had asked the government to provide better medical procedures to confirm sexual assault.