COIMBATORE: The Indian Air Force (IAF) can retain the custody of flight lieutenant Amitesh Harmukh, 29, who was arrested by the central all women police of Coimbatore city on the charge of raping a colleague on the Indian Air Force Administrative College premises last month, the first additional district judge (I ADJ) court ordered on Saturday.
The court also allowed the central all women police to continue the investigation.
Judge S Nagarajan permitted the revision petitioner (inspector of police, Central AWPS) to proceed with the investigation. The accused would be under the custody of IAF. The city police should give proper intimation to IAF well in advance for investigation. Upon receiving such intimation, IAF authorities should provide a feasible atmosphere within the IAF campus and ensure privacy of the investigation. The investigation should not be interrupted by IAF.
After completion of the investigation, police shall prepare two sets of material evidence and one set shall be placed to court-martial for trial under the Air Force Act,1950.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
