Bihar panchayat settles rape of minor by asking accused to do five sit-ups

Nawada (Bihar), November 25: In a shocking incident that has come to light from Bihar's Nawada district, the panchayat allegedly let off a rape accused after ordering him to do sit-ups as punishment, police sources said.

The local police informed that the accused was from the same village as the minor girl he allegedly raped. Sources said three days ago, a panchayat was convened in the matter and the panchayat chief or mukhiya, as the post is called locally, sentenced the accused youth to do sit-ups 5 times as a punishment for the alleged rape.

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According to a statement issued by the local police, "A village panchayat was called and the matter settled after the youth accused of raping a minor girl was made to do five sit-ups."

"A video purportedly showing the youth doing sit-ups went viral on social media," said an officer of the local police station.

The viral video of the panchayat allegedly settling the rape case by way of a light punishment for the accused drew outrage from netizens.

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"On the basis of the viral video, an FIR was registered on the order of the Nawada SP," the officer added.

The SHO of the local police station said, "An FIR has been registered in the case and all angles are being looked into as part of the ongoing investigation."