Panchayat orders rape accused be beaten up by shoes

The family of the 15-year-old rape survivor, however, decided to knock the doors of the police which took cognisance of the case.

A Haryana panchayat has ordered that two rape accused cousin brothers be hit by shoes five times in public and submit a fine of Rs. 50,000.

However, enraged by the village elders’ dictate, the family of the 15-year-old rape survivor decided to knock the doors of the police which took cognisance of the case.

The incident occurred on May 12 in Zakopur village when the girl had gone to a neighbour’s house to fill water from their hand pump, Investigation Officer (IO) Assistant Sub Inspector Sumitra said.

The two accused Munfat and Jabid dragged and raped the girl. They even threatened to kill her if she divulged the incident to anybody, she said.

The girl, however, informed her family who took up the matter with the duo’s family, following which a panchayat was called to settle the matter.

According to the survivor’s uncle, the panchayat allegedly tried to hush the incident and ordered that the accused pay Rs. 50,000 as fine and that both of them should be thrashed with shoes five times each.

The IO said the girl’s family refused to accept the panchayat verdict and filed a complaint with the police.

A case had been registered yesterday in this connection, the police officer said and added that further investigation is on.