India: where punishment for rape and murder includes 100 sit-ups
India’s often male-dominated village councils hold huge sway, particularly in rural areas, settling disputes on everything from land and cattle to matrimony and murder
India’s traditional village councils must be prosecuted for acting as de facto courts, activists said, after a teenage gang-rape victim was burned to death in apparent retaliation for the punishments handed down by one.
The 16-year-old victim was killed after her parents reported her kidnap and rape to their village council, which imposed a fine of 50,000 rupees (US$740) on the two accused and ordered them to do 100 sit-ups.
Soon afterwards, a mob set fire to their house in the eastern state of Jharkhand, killing the girl – an attack human rights activists say could have been prevented had the original crime been reported to police.
“They (council) abused their authority, acting as judge and jury to come up with this farcical decision, which resulted in a miscarriage of justice and loss of life,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
“They should have informed the police, especially since it was a crime involving a minor. What they have done is illegal and must be properly punished.”
