A youth and a girl, who was said to be his niece, were tied to a tree and thrashed by a mob reportedly on the diktat of a panchayat in Uttar Pradesh's Baharaich district, about 200 kilometre from Lucknow.

According to the police sources in Lucknow, the panchayat members accused the two of having illicit relationship and ordered that they be punished in full public view to ''send across a strong message'' to the society.

Sources said that the youth had gone to his sister's house in Nawabganj area in the district a few days back.

He was talking to his niece, when some people, who lived in the neighborhood, caught them and claimed that the two were in a ''compromising situation''.

A panchayat was convened in the village the next morning.

The panchayat members ordered them to be publicly thrashed, sources said. The two were then tied to a tree and hit repeatedly with sticks and lathis by a mob.

The matter came to light on Sunday, when a video showing the duo being thrashed went viral.

They sustained serious injuries and were admitted to a hospital, sources said.

A case was registered against four people in this regard, police said adding that stern action would be taken against those found guilty.

Earlier, too, the panchayats in the state had punished people for falling in love and marrying against family's wishes of the family.