A probe was ordered by Bihar’s Muzaffarpur police after allegations of a panchayat asking a minor rape victim to sell her newborn baby on 11 November surfaced.
The police lodged an FIR under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and POCSO Act after the 15-year old victim approached the panchayat, with a demand that a DNA test must be conducted to identify the father of the baby.
She had filed a complaint in July earlier this year after being allegedly raped by a Muslim cleric and then an electrician.
She wanted the father to accept both of them. However, the local panchayat apparently told her to “sell her newborn son,” The Indian Express reported.
In January, the 15 year old was allegedly raped by a Muslim cleric when she had visited his house to serve him food. The villagers had decided to provide meals to the cleric on a rotational basis and that day happened to be her turn.
She was sedated and raped. A video was recorded and she was blackmailed.
She filed an FIR on 3 July, where she also revealed that an electrician also got to know of the matter and allegedly raped the minor, reported The Indian Express. The two accused are currently absconding.
The minor being illiterate and belonging to a poor family approached the police at a later stage of her pregnancy and sough help for the panchayat.
“We have ordered a probe into the entire case, including allegations against the local panchayat, under additional SP (east) Amitesh Kumar. The team would intensify search for the two accused.”Jayant Kant Superintendent of Police (SP) as quoted by News 18
(With Inputs from News 18 & The Indian Express)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)