Trial by fire to prove innocence

AT LEAST 40 villagers in Chittorgarh district were allegedly forced by the panchayat to dip their hands in boiling oil to prove they had not stolen foodgrains.

AT LEAST 40 villagers in Chittorgarh district were allegedly forced by the panchayat to dip their hands in boiling oil to prove they had not stolen foodgrains.

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The police arrested five village panchayat members in connection with the case and they were remanded in 7-day judicial custody on Saturday.

The Devgarh police station in charge in the district has been suspended.

The panchayat of Ranpur village conducted the orthodox “Agni Pariksha” (trial by fire) on September 10 after it was found that foodgrains meant for schoolchildren were stolen on the night of August 31, Pratapgarh Additional Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Bohra said on Saturday.