'Marriage After Girl Turns 18': How UP Panchayat Pressured Families to Settle Sexual Assault Case with Victim Marrying Accused
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A village panchayat in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly allegedly pressured the families of a 16-year-old girl and a minor boy accused of rape to settle the case and agree to their marriage after the girl turns 18.
The girl’s family had initially approached the police, alleging that the boy had sexually exploited her for nearly a year after threatening to circulate her objectionable photographs online.
A case was registered on the basis of the complaint, while the girl was sent for a medical examination and the accused was taken into custody.
Roka, Tilak Ceremony Held
According to the report, the panchayat was convened after the girl’s family approached the police. The families were allegedly pressured to settle the matter without pursuing legal action.
On Monday, a roka and tilak ceremony was reportedly held in the village. The panchayat decided that the two would marry after the girl turns 18.
Members of both families later told India Today that they wanted to settle the matter. A member of the accused boy’s family said the two had an issue earlier but claimed it had been resolved.
The family member said both the boy and girl were minors and that the marriage would take place only after they became legally eligible to marry. The family also said the tilak and engagement-related rituals were conducted in the presence of villagers.
The girl’s family reportedly expressed a similar intention, saying they wanted the marriage to take place after she turns 18.
Police Register Case, Take Accused Into Custody
Bareilly police said they received information about the alleged rape of a minor girl in Sheeshgarh and registered a case.
The girl was sent for a medical examination, while the accused was taken into custody for questioning. Bareilly police official Arun Kumar Singh said further action was being taken in the case.
The police investigation continued despite claims from both families that the matter had been settled through village elders.
A member of the accused’s family said the matter was discussed among village elders for three days before the families agreed to the settlement.
The alleged panchayat intervention and pressure on the families have now come under scrutiny as police proceed with the investigation based on the original complaint.
