NHRC Issues Notice to UP Govt Over Village Panchayat’s Bribe & Threat in Rape Case

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the state’s police chief following reports that a village panchayat instructed the mother of a rape victim to accept Rs 5,000 from the accused and terminate her minor daughter’s pregnancy.

According to the NHRC, threats were allegedly made to the aggrieved family if they did not comply with the panchayat’s directive. The commission stated it took suo motu cognizance of a media report from June 19, detailing the incident in Baghpat district.

The NHRC emphasized that if the media report is accurate, it represents a serious violation of the victim’s human rights. The statement expressed dismay that instead of safeguarding the minor girl, the village panchayat collaborated in an unlawful act with influential individuals.

Consequently, notices have been issued to the chief secretary and director general of police of Uttar Pradesh, requiring a comprehensive report within one week. The NHRC specified that the report should include the status of the FIR, actions taken against the perpetrators, the victim’s health status, and any compensation provided to her by the authorities.

The commission highlighted that the victim’s family had previously lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that a local resident had forcefully entered their home and raped the girl in December 2023.

Subsequently, the family faced life threats when attempting to file a police report. The accused allegedly raped the girl multiple times, resulting in pregnancy. The family was then compelled to approach the panchayat, which reportedly offered them Rs 5,000, as per the media report.

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