Uttar Pradesh: Beat rape accused with shoes, panchayat tells victim

A panchayat in Hapur in Uttar Pradesh in a bizarre directive has asked an alleged rape victim to beat up the accused with shoes after he refused to pay the Rs 5 lakh fine imposed by it. Two men had allegedly gangraped the girl in Todalpur village on December 19. The panchayat asked the accused to pay a fine Rs 5 lakh.

When one of them refused to pay the money, the panchayat then asked the victim to smear his face with ink and beat him up with shoes. Police said the matter came to light only after local media reported the incident.

"Action will be taken on the basis of evidence in this case, irrespective of what the panchayat decides. We will identify the culprits and take stringent action against them," Hapur ASP O P Singh said.

Reacting to the incident, SP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, "There was a complaint that two persons tried to rape a woman in Hapur. The FIR was registered and two persons who have been named in the complaint are absconding as of now. They will not be spared." He also said that there would be no settlement based on what the panchayat has said.

"On behalf of the government, we just wish to state that action will be taken against the accused persons as per law and no diktat of the panchayat will prevail. Anyone who tries to illegally give directions to the family members of the complainant or the complainant herself, action will be also taken against them," he said.