Tuesday, May 3 2005 12:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: In a new twist to the General Court Martial (GCM) proceedings against India Air Force (IAF) officer Anjali Gupta, the prosecution in the high-profile case today (May 3, 2005) alleged that she is purposefully adopting delaying tactics.

Prosecutor Wg Cdr R D Dubey alleged that Anjali, who works as an education officer at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment in Bangalore, has been refusing to eat food in time, wants to "act" as if she is sick and is indulging in delaying tactics.

The Prosecutor also submitted before the Court, presided by Group Captain V Ganesh, that Gupta consumes food after insistence by escorts many times.

"She is trying to look gloomy...she is trying to reject the court proceedings... she is trying to gain sympathy of the court," it was alleged.

The Prosecutor said medical authorities have advised her rest today and lab tests would be conducted tomorrow (May 4, 2005) to know whether she is fit to face the trial. The Court asked him to submit medical certificate.

Anjali's defending officer Wg Cdr Bhupesh questioned the prosecution contention that she is "faking" her sickness. "Whether she is acting or not will be revealed in the medical report," he contended.

The Court said it would wait for the medical report to know whether she is fit for the trial and adjourned the proceedings for 10:00 hrs (IST) tomorrow.

Anjali is facing seven charges including falsely claiming road settlement allowance and train fare and also behaving in a manner unbecoming of an officer. Last week, she dismissed the charges as "silly, trivial and meaningless".