Raped and impregnated A man accused of raping a minor Dalit girl was asked to pay a fine of Rs 1,000 and perform 51 squats by a village panchayat in Bihar. The verdict was pronounced on August 3 by Sidhpur panchayat, Imamganj in Gaya district. Reportedly, the Dalit girl, a resident of Baseta village, was repeatedly raped for six months by the accused named Akash. The class seven student was first raped while she was coming back from her school. Thereafter, the accused blackmailed her and raped her repeatedly.

Asked to abort The girl informed it to her family only after she became pregnant. The girl’s parent had approached the family of the accused fearing shame and humiliation. They asked the girl to abort the child and promised to get her married to their son. But the girl’s family refused the proposal of marriage. The girl’s family took the matter to the panchayat. The panchayat , after listening to both the sides, concluded that the physical relation between the accused and the victim was consensual. The panchayat ordered the accused to perform 51 squats and pay a fine of Rs. 1,000.

Justice from the police The verdict was a big letdown for the girl and her family. Outraged by this verdict, they reported the matter to the police. A medical examination has been conducted on the girl and an FIR was registered against the accused. The SSP of Gaya, Garima Malik has said that the accused has been arrested.