In a gruesome incident of the rape of a 3-year-old girl child in Gumla district of Jharkhand, the local Panchayat, instead of securing justice for the victim’s family, allegedly tried to hush up the matter and fined the accused Rs 1 lakh.
The accused was warned to deposit the full amount within a week. However, the Panchayat immediately collected Rs 20,000 from the accused and some Panchayat members used that money to host a party featuring mutton and liquor, sources said.
The incident that took place in Palma village under Gahghra Police Station of Gumla district, came to the knowledge of authorities when someone from the village secretly informed the police about it.
Upon receiving the information, police arrived at the village and arrested the accused, Sunil Lohra, on the spot. Police Station in charge Mohan Kumar said that they had received information that the Panchayat was attempting to cover up the case.
The police registered an FIR based on the statement of the victim's mother and initiated action. Meanwhile, Lodo Ekka, the Mukhiya (village head) of Arangi Panchayat, stated that he had not been informed about the meeting; the matter only came to light after the police arrived.
After the incident, the girl was first taken to a private doctor. Subsequently, a panchayat meeting was convened in the village on Sunday, where a fine of Rs 1 lakh was imposed on the accused as punishment.
Some members of the panchayat tried to project an image of delivering justice, but in reality, they were intent on suppressing the matter. During the meeting, Rs 20,000 was immediately collected from the accused, and a party was held using that very money that same day.
Sources said that the accused, Sunil Lohra, arrived at the victim's house around 4 PM on Saturday. At the time, the girl was at home with her mother. The accused deceived the mother by offering to look after the child so she could attend to her chores.
It was during this time that he raped the innocent child. Shortly thereafter, the girl began crying, covered in blood; her mother rushed over and discovered what had happened.
Gumla Superintendent of Police Haris Bin Zaman said the prime accused had been arrested and sent to judicial custody, while police were investigating allegations that an attempt had been made to suppress the case.
He said appropriate legal action would be taken against anyone found to have been involved if the allegations were substantiated.
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