In a shocking incident in Bihar’s Supaul district, a brick-kiln owner allegedly offered Rs. 500 as compensation to a family of labourers after their daughter was raped by the kiln manager. What’s more, a bunch of labourers were beaten up when they protested against the crime.
The incident took place last Tuesday, when a 15-year-old girl from a family of poor workers from Assam was raped by manager Chintu Singh. When the matter came to light, the owner, Ramchandra Singh, offered Rs.500 to the girl’s family and suggested a compromise, sub-divisional police officer M.K. Choudhary told The Hindu .
Mr. Choudhary said the labourers were beaten up when they voiced their protest. The manager’s two aides, Deepak Singh and Sitesh Kumar Singh, have been arrested for abetment. However, Chintu Singh has escaped across the border to Nepal. The kiln owner is also absconding, the police said.
“The victim’s medical examination confirms rape. She has also given her statement in court,” Mr. Choudhary said. A case under Section 376 (punishment for rape), 34 (common intention) and 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) has been registered. The labourers, who struck work after the incident, were sent back home to Assam. “The victim too has gone back home. Her statement has been taken so we don’t need her for investigation,” Mr. Choudhary said.
