'Two-finger test' for rape victims banned

The High Court has prohibited the use of 'two-finger test' for examining rape victims terming the test unscientific.

A HC bench of Gobinda Chandra Tagore and justice AKM Shahidul Huq passed the verdict on Thursday.

The court came up with the judgement following a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, BRAC, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Naripokkho, and two female physicians.

On 9 October 2013, the HC issued a rule asking the authorities concerned as to why the 'two-finger test' should not be declared illegal and against the law.

Forensic physicians, lawyers, police, and human rights activists have long been claiming that the 'two-finger test' has no scientific basis in assessing a woman or girl's rape, adding that this test is illogical and tantamount to raping the victim again.