Cuttack, Sept 13: The Orissa High Court has directed all the medical professionals to desist from conducting 'two-finger test' on rape victims to ascertain their virginity.
The test is unconstitutional being averse to the invaluable dignity of the victims of sexual assault, observed the single bench of Justice Sangram Kumar Sahoo on Tuesday.
Justice Sahoo was hearing the plea of a rape accused to dismiss the case filed against him. During hearing the woman apprised the court that she had got married to the accused and had frequently sex with him.
When Justice Sahoo wanted to know the opinion of the doctor who had conducted medical examination of the victim, the medical professional said two fingers easily entered into the vagina of the victim that proves that she was active in sexual activities, the doctor informed the court.
The Bench expressed its displeasure on the doctor for conducting two-finger test and directed all the medical professionals to desist from conducting 'two-finger test' on rape victims to ascertain their virginity.
Notably, the Supreme Court on October 31, 2022 had declared that any person conducting the invasive ‘two-finger’ or ‘three-finger’ vaginal test on rape or sexual assault survivors will be found guilty of misconduct.
