UP Panchayat Asks Rape Survivor To Settle The Case With A Fine And Hitting Rapist With A Shoe.
You’d think that after writing about innumerable sexual harassment incidents, I’d get at least a tad desensitized to the matter. But every time I read about a woman being preyed on by a vile man, my blood boils all the same. I have understood a few things though. For instance, our legal and social systems are not designed for women. We will always be at a disadvantage because our legal systems are built to perpetuate patriarchy. I say this after hearing countless cases where the rape survivor, a woman who is suffering from deep trauma, is asked by the police or local authorities like the panchayat to settle the case in a manner that completely absolves the rapist of his heinous crime. This happens more often than we know, and has just happened in a district in Uttar Pradesh.
Recently, a panchayat in Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh asked a minor girl, who had been raped by a boy from her village, to close the case by accepting Rs 50,000 and hitting the accused five times with a shoe. You can see why this is incredibly problematic. The accused deserves to be tried and sentenced by a court of law not let off the hook with five slaps and having to pay such a nominal fine.
Also Read: SC Judge Asks Rape Accused If He Is Willing To Marry The Victim Because Apparently Then Everything Is Okay
Take Rs 50,000, hit accused with shoe: UP panchayat tells girl to settle alleged rape case https://t.co/VjFfEXd7Vu
— Chief Editor-Satnam Singh Chahal (@Indousmedia) June 30, 2021
Reportedly, neither the girl nor her family was satisfied with the panchayat’s ruling. Hence, they filed an FIR with the local police. The girl’s mother had filed a rape complaint with the Panchayat on 23 June. That’s why they asked her to “settle” by accepting Rs 50,000 and slapping the accused in front of the entire village council. Because that’s going to solve everything. On 25 June, the girl’s family filed an FIR with the Kothibhari police.
They took charge and launched an investigation. The police have directed officials to get the girl’s medical examination done and to record her statement. Hopefully, they will be able to solve the case and get the girl some semblance of justice. The accused should be arrested so he can be put behind bars, far away from vulnerable girls.
