Panchayat asks rape survivor to accept money and undergo abortion

In a khap-like order in western Uttar Pradesh, a Bihar village panchayat has asked a 16-year-old rape survivor who became pregnant to take Rs. 50,000 from the culprit and go for an abortion.

“The girl has lodged a police complaint against four persons in connection with the rape. She has said that she is seven months pregnant,” said Shweta Gupta, in-charge of a women police station in Kishanganj, 350 km from here.

Soon after the rape, the Class X student, who comes from a village in Kishanganj district, approached the panchayat for punishment for the accused, but the members asked her to take the money and undergo an abortion.

“The girl refused to take the money, and when threatened, she lodged a complaint. We are investigating the case and the role of the panchayat members too will be covered,” Ms. Gupta said.

The girl has lodged a compliant against Riyaz and his relatives Gul Mohamed, Munna and Mahinaz Alam. When Riyaz raped her, the three stood guard outside, the girl said in the complaint. The police official said about half a dozen similar cases had been reported in the police station in the recent past. “Since Kishanganj is a Muslim-majority district bordering Bangladesh, most of the victims come from that community,” Ms. Gupta said.

Accounts of rape of minor girls have also come from the neighbouring Katihar district. Three girls have lodged complaints in two police stations of the district.