Two Indian sisters were sentenced to be gang-raped and paraded naked in the streets, India TV News reported. The decision came from an all-male village council, known as khap panchayat, in Baghpat District, Uttar Pradesh. The order was to dishonor the family for their brother's elopement with a married woman from a higher caste.
According to the report, the accused are from the Dalit caste or the "untouchables" while the woman, who their brother Ravi eloped with, is from the upper Jat caste. The woman's family forced the girl into an arranged marriage with someone from the same cast. However, she and Ravi were in love. On March 22, the woman left his matrimonial home and eloped with Ravi.
The lovers eventually surrendered because police and people in the Jat caste community were reportedly torturing Ravi's family. The family's home was allegedly ransacked, forcing them 30 miles from their village to Delhi.
According to Telegraph, the sisters ran away upon the ruling was issued and seek Supreme Court protection from the "eye-for-an-eye" system of the said village council. On Tuesday, the court issued a notice to the state government for a response, as per India TV News.
The khap panchayat, according to Azad India Foundation, is a justice system in villages started by the upper-caste Jats in the 14th century to "consolidate their power and position." The system considers love marriages as taboo, and those living within the khap panchayat's jurisdiction are not allowed to marry within the same clan or any family in the same village.
The khap panchayat, normally consisted of 10 to 15 men, settle disputes within the community. It imposes orders through "social boycotts," monetary fines or, in most cases, forcing the accused to kill himself or herself. Dubbed as "kangaroo courts" by the Supreme Court, Telegraph notes that the khap panchayats are separate from the Indian legal system.
The case have called an outrage from local and foreign communities. Amnesty International UK has set up a petition against the decision, saying, "Nothing could justify this abhorrent punishment. It’s not fair. It’s not right. And it’s against the law. Demand that the local authorities intervene immediately."
"Rape is a revolting crime, not a punishment," Rachel Alcock of Amnesty UK said via Telegraph. "There must also be a proper, independent investigation into these barbaric and illegal orders which apparently continue to be issued by the khap panchayat courts," she added.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
