Jungle raj: Woman paraded half-naked in Rajasthan

A 45-year-old woman was stripped and paraded half-naked on a donkey by villagers on the orders of a community panchayat in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan.The villagers also cut her hair and painted her face black.

The panchayat pronounced the verdict after holding the woman responsible for the death of her nephew Vardi Singh. The matter came to light after the woman’s husband lodged an FIR regarding the incident. The police have subsequently arrested 39 people.

 The incident took place in the Thurval village of Rajsamand’s Charbhuja town, where heavy police force has now been deployed to avert any untoward incident due to the arrests.

“We have arrested 39 people in connection with this case, including members of community panchayat, those who executed the decisions and Vardi Singh’s wife,” said Rajsamand Additional Superintendent of Police Sudhir Joshi. Of the accused, 30 have been booked under Sections 452, 323, 354-B, 342, 384 while 9 of the IPC, while others have been arrested for disturbing peace. The police have registered another case to investigate Vardi Singh’s death.

According to the police, Vardi Singh had died under mysterious circumstances almost a week ago in the village. Members of his family and villagers cremated his body without informing the police. Later, Vardi Singh’s wife approached the community panchayat alleging that her husband's aunt was responsible for his death. The panchayat was called for a public hearing, and without any evidence, pronounced judgment. Immediately , a mob forcibly entered the woman’s house and dragged her out. They humiliated her by painting her face black, cutting her hair and stripping her in public.

The police said the victim is in state of shock and has been sent to a women’s shelter home, where a team of doctors is taking care of her.

The incident has evoked strong response from the Congress and various social activists and organisations.  Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot has said incidents of atrocities and crimes against women have increased like never before despite a woman being the chief minister of the state.