Friday, December 9 2005 15:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: A day after a military court ordered IAF Flying Officer Anjali Gupta's dismissal from service, a court of inquiry into her charges of sexual harassment against three senior officers has unanimously concluded that she has 'failed to prove her complaint', IAF authorities announced today (Dec 09, 2005).

"The three member court of inquiry headed by Air Marshal Bandopadhya in its findings has concluded that it is the unanimous opinion that Anjali Gupta failed to prove her complaint of sexual harassment", IAF's Senior Personnel Staff Officer Gr Cpt Ajay Masson and its Legal Officer Wg Cdr P C Prakash told a press conference here.

"No action needs to be taken against Sqn Ldr R S Choudhary, Wg Cdr V C Cyriac and Commander A Chopra against whom Anjali Gupta has made charges of sexual harassment", the inquiry report concluded, they said.

The IAF officials however refused to comment on the status of the complaint lodged by the cashiered officer at the Vimanapura police station in the city, saying "it is for the police to give update".

Masson sought to clarify that it was incorrect to say that Anjali Gupta was the first ever woman IAF officer to face court martial proceedings, as records point that some women officers have faced similar proceedings but refused to give details.

Despite giving ample opportunity by the court of Inquiry, Gupta failed to make out case, Masson said.

Yesterday, the General Court Martial sentenced Gupta to be cashiered on five charges, which included indiscipline and insubordination.

Prakash refuted Anjali Gupta's allegation that she was not given ample opportunity and time to appear before the Court of Inquiry.

At least two letters seeking her appearance were handed over by the Court of Inquiry and the proceedings were held when GCM had suspended its sittings for more than one and a half months, he said.

The Court of Inquiry has cross-examined seven witnesses including three officers against whom charges were made, Prakash said, adding, the court perused 25 documents.

All the documents, which were not marked as classified were given to Anjali Gupta and permitted to be perused by her, he said, dismissing the woman officer's charge that she was denied copies of documents.

Now, Anjali Gupta has the option to petition the Chief of Air Staff to reconsider the punishment of dismissal before the IAF head inks his approval confirming the GCM sentence.

She can also petition the Defence Ministry, official sources said.