Uttar Pradesh panchayat orders rape victim to marry accused

Village elders termed the marriage as “apt justice” for the woman.

The panchayat of Shahkhurd village in Shahjahanpur district allegedly ordered a rape survivor to marry her accused.

According to the panchayat’s order, the wedding will take place on Wednesday. (File Photo)

Village elders termed the marriage as “apt justice” for the woman. According to the panchayat’s order, the wedding will take place on Wednesday.

Both the victim and the accused are in their early 20s and belong to the same community.

Villagers said the woman’s father died about a decade ago and she used to live alone with her mother.

On Thursday, the accused allegedly raped her. She informed her mother of the incident on the same day, and on Friday, they approached the local police to lodge a complaint.

The father and relatives of the accused also offered the woman Rs 1 lakh but she refused it.