 The Indian Air Force is one of the largest air forces in the world |
The first woman to be court-martialled in India has gone on trial on charges of forgery and indiscipline. Air force officer Anjali Gupta had accused three male superiors of sexual harassment, but the air force rejected her accusations.
She is charged with disobeying seniors and faking travel bills. Proceedings got under way in Bangalore on Monday.
Ms Gupta, who was serving as an administrative officer in the force's education wing, has denied the charges.
Investigation
Her family says the court martial is a result of a complaint Ms Gupta registered with the police in Bangalore.
The family says it will go to the civil courts if the military court finds her guilty.
"She stood up for her rights and went to the police. If that is being interpreted as an attitude problem, does that warrant a court martial?" Ms Gupta's sister Alka Garg was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has rejected calls for an independent investigation into Ms Gupta's allegations, as demanded by women's groups.
The IAF, one of the world's largest air forces, has some 500 woman officers. Women are banned from flying fighter jets.
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