Former Asian Games gold medallist quarter-miler Pinki Pramanik, who was arrested on rape charges after being accused of being a male, was on Friday remanded to 14 days judicial custody.

A West Bengal court on Friday remanded Asian Games gold medal-winning athlete Pinki Pramanik to 14 days’ judicial custody after the athlete was accused of being a male and arrested on charges of rape.

“The court has remanded Pramanik to judicial custody for 14 days. The court has also directed that the athlete’s gender be determined through a medical test in a government hospital within 14 days,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Bidhannagar (North 24 Parganas) Subrata Bandyopadhyay said.

Policemen escort Pinki Pramanik (centre) to the Barasat District Court on Friday. Pic/AFP

“Pramanik has been kept in a separate cell as her gender is disputed and yet to be determined through a medical test at a government hospital,” public prosecutor Bikas Dey said.

Pramanik was arrested after the athlete’s live-in partner, a divorcee and a mother of one, lodged a police complaint accusing Pramanik of being a man who has been repeatedly raping and torturing her.

Following the complaint, Pramanik was taken to a private nursing home for a medical check-up where the test reports showed that the athlete was indeed a male.

Family cries conspiracy

Meanwhile, Pinki’s parents defended her womanhood and suspected a conspiracy. Father Durgacharan said: “The husband of the woman who has made the allegation borrowed money from my daughter and refused to pay back. Not only that. They have hatched a conspiracy to malign my daughter.”

The athlete’s mother Pushpa said she was surprised to hear of the allegation. “I’m her mother. No one knows the facts better than me.” — IANSu00a0

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