Anjali Gupta

Flying Officer Anjali Gupta was an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer who served in Air Force from 2001 to 2006. She was the first female officer in India and in the Air Force to be court martialled.[1] She was working at the Aircraft Systems and Testing Establishment in Bangalore.[2]

Not to be confused with the Indian actress Anjalie Gupta.

Anjali Gupta
Born12 May 1970
Delhi, India
Died(2011-09-11)11 September 2011 (age 41)
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
AllegianceIndia
Years of service2001–2006
Rank Flying Officer
UnitAircraft Systems and Testing Establishment, Karnataka
Military career

Early life and education

Anjali Gupta was born in Delhi to schoolteacher mother, Uma Gupta, and a bank officer father. Anjali was the second of three sisters. Anjali completed her graduation and post-graduation in Psychology and also had an M.Phil. in Psychology from Delhi University. She joined IAF through Short Service Commission (SSC) officer in the Education branch and was first posted at Belgaum, Karnataka in 2001.[3] [4]

Allegations of harassment

In February 2005, Anjali Gupta filed a case against three of her superiors at a police station in Bangalore. The police asked her to resolve the issue with her superiors. Anjali Gupta later approached the Karnataka High Court, demanding an enquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation.[4] A few days after Anjali Gupta alleged in a TV interview that she was a victim of sexual harassment at the workplace, General Court Martial (GCM) proceedings against her were initiated.

Trial and dismissal

She was placed under house arrest after she made a statement before the Karnataka State Commission for Women that she "is on the verge of taking her life" because of alleged harassment by her superiors. IAF administration had her examined by a panel of psychiatrists comprising doctors from National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences and Institute of Aerospace Medicine. She was later admitted to Command Hospital.[5] Falsely claiming travel allowance and throwing a breakfast parcel of her senior's were among the fifteen offenses she was initially accused of. In the final chargesheet, the number of charges was reduced to seven.[6]

Anjali Gupta was dismissed from service in 2005 after a five-member General Court Martial (GCM) jury convicted her of misappropriating funds, insubordination and failure to report for duty.[7]

Death

On 11 September 2011, Anjali Gupta was found hanging at a relative's home in Bhopal.[8][9] Police have detained her former colleague Group Captain Amit Gupta for questioning over her alleged suicide. Anjali Gupta's parents have informed the media that Group Captain Amit Gupta and Anjali were in a relationship and living together.[10]

References
  1. "Court martial for air force woman". BBC. 25 April 2005. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  2. "IAF inquiry into Gupta case". rediff NEWS. 28 April 2005. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  3. "Air force fires prickly Anjali- Cloud remains over court martial". The Telegraph. 9 December 2005. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  4. "IAF Anjali Gupta: The woman who rocked the Indian Air Force". rediff NEWS. 8 December 2005. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  5. "Anjali Gupta released". The Hindu. 3 June 2005. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  6. "Flight Of The Dove". Outlook. 13 June 2005. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  7. "Dismissed Indian air force officer found dead". BBC. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  8. "Court martialled IAF officer commits suicide". NDTV. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  9. "A spirited life extinguished". The Hindu. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  10. "Anjali Gupta suicide: 'IAF officer held was under surveillance'". India Today. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
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