Pinki Pramanik, whose gender is under question following an accusation of rape, went through gender confirmation tests here on Monday at SSKM Hospital.
The 11-member medical board that conducted medical tests to ascertain the gender of the athlete said that it will urge the court for more time to conduct certain other tests on Pramanik. Hospital authorities said that since SSKM Hospital does not have certain facilities for conducting chromosomal tests, permission will be sought to conduct tests elsewhere.
“Certain tests to determine the gender of the athlete were conducted at the hospital. However the facilities for one of the tests [karyotype -- a chromosomal test] are not available at the hospital. As the results have to be submitted to the court before June 29, an extension will be sought from the court,” Hospital Superintendent T. K. Ghosh said.
Pramanik was arrested on June 14 following a neighbour’s complaint alleging rape in the State’s North 24 Parganas district. The complaint stated that Pramanik was actually a man, who repeatedly raped and tortured her. On the basis on these allegations, a district court directed that the athlete’s gender be determined through medical tests in a government hospital within 14 days.
After certain tests at the district sub-divisional hospital, Pramanik was referred to SSKM Hospital.
Pramanik, a middle-distance runner retired from athletics in 2007.
