Rape victim forced to marry molester
Double whammy
Infamous for their “bizarre verdicts”, caste panchayats in Uttar Pradesh have once again proved that they care very little for “justice” and “human feelings.”
Turning a blind eye to the fierce protest and desperate and teary pleas by a teen rape victim, a caste panchayat in UP’s Muzaffarnagar district, forced her to marry the very man who had outraged her modesty and for whom she had been demanding stern punishment, apparently to save the accused from a possible jail term.
The hapless teen and her family, who had lodged a report with the police in this regard, tried to persuade the panchayat and opposed the decision during the 60-hour deliberations of the panchayat that began on Wednesday and concluded on Friday, but had to give in ultimately.
And the 14-year-old girl was married to the culprit on Friday night. According to reports, a youth identified as Isha, a resident of Pathanan locality in the district, had allegedly raped the teen, who was her neighbour, at gun point on Monday last, while his friend stood guard outside the victim’s home. The family of the victim had lodged a report and the medical examination confirmed rape.
Even before the police could initiate action, the culprit and his family started exerting pressure on the victim’s family to reach a compromise and agree to marry the teen with Isha but they refused flatly.
A panchayat was convened on Wednesday to deliberate the matter. The victim fiercely opposed the idea of marrying Isha. But after deliberating for 60 hours, the panchayat directed the teen to marry the accused and the marriage was solemnised on Friday night.
The police officials, however, feigned ignorance about the incident. “We will record the teen’s statement and then proceed accordingly,” they said.
Barely a few days ago a caste panchayat in UP’s Bijnore district had “punished” a 45-year-old man, who was accused of molesting a 16-year-old girl, by ordering him to get his son married to the teen.
