A panchayat in Allahabad district, about 250 km from here, ordered a person—accused of trying to rape a woman of his village—to organise a grand feast for villagers as a punishment.

Shocked by the panchayat’s verdict, the victim approached the police, which for a change took quick action and arrested the alleged culprit and sent him to the jail.

According to the police, Ram Bahadur, a resident of Kapsa village of the district, allegedly tried to molest a woman of his village a few days ago. Ram Bahadur, however, could not succeed in his attempt as the woman raised an alarm following which he fled from there.

The woman lodged a complaint with the village panchayat seeking strict punishment to the offender. The panchayat members deliberated over the matter for full three days before arriving at the bizarre decision.

They ordered Ram Bahadur to organise a grand feast for villagers as a punishment for his offence. The police said they were investigating the matter and stern action would be taken against the panchayat members, if found guilty.