Panchayat gets victim married to molester in UP

Policemen also attend wedding

 Just days after a khap panchayat in Haryana let off a trader accused of molesting a girl after he apologised, a panchayat in Uttar Pradesh got an alleged molester married with his victim even though she is a minor – in an apparent bid to save him from going to jail.

According to reports, Rishi Kumar, a resident of Baman village in Agra district had molested a minor, who lives in his neighborhood, on Friday.

The victim’s family lodged a report with the police and had also named the accused.
But before the police could initiate any action, a panchayat was convened in the village to discuss and settle the matter.

After several hours of discussion, elders at the panchayat decided the victim to be married to the accused.

Cops present

According to reports, the marriage ceremony was performed in the presence of hundreds of people from Baman and nearby villages on Sunday.

Incidentally, four policemen, who had been sent to investigate the complaint lodged by the victim’s family, were also present at the marriage ceremony.

They were told that the matter had been amicably settled and that the complaint would be withdrawn.

Sources said that the victim was a minor and her marriage was illegal. But the local police feigned ignorance about the marriage.

“We have  no information about the marriage. No one has lodged any report in this connection but the matter will be investigated,” a police officer   said.