Kangaroo court orders gangrape of 20-year-old tribal woman over alleged affair
Kolkata: A West Bengal court on Thursday remanded 13 people to 14 days’ judicial custody in connection with the gang rape of a tribal woman in the state’s Birbhum district, while the West Bengal Commission for Women ordered a probe into the gang rape of a tribal woman allegedly at the behest of a kangaroo court.
“All the 13 accused arrested in this connection were presented before a court which has remanded them to 14 days’ judicial custody,” a Labhpur police station official said.
The horrific incident happened on Monday night in Subalpur village, some 180 km from Kolkata.
The 20-year-old woman was allegedly raped by more than a dozen men following the orders of a kangaroo court which found her ‘guilty of having an affair with a man outside her community’.
“The woman was allegedly gang raped on the orders of a shalishi sabha (kangaroo court) after it found she had an affair with a man outside her community,” Superintendent of Police C Sudhakar said.
“We have taken a suo motu cognizance of the case and are probing the matter. We will ensure that the perpetrators of the crime, including the tribal headman who ordered the barbarism, is meted out harshest punishment,” said Sunanda Mukherjee, Chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Women.
Mukherjee also laid emphasis on the need for sensitising the tribal communities in the state to prevent such incidents.
The woman, who was subjected to the brutality for having an affair with a man outside her community, has been admitted to hospital in a critical condition.
Mukherjee also laid emphasis on the need for sensitising the tribal communities in the state to prevent such incidents.
The woman, who was subjected to the brutality for having an affair with a man outside her community, has been admitted to hospital in a critical condition.
Sudhakar said raids are being conducted in and around the village to find if more people were involved.
The woman, who is undergoing treatment at the Suri Sadar Hopsital, said she was left at the mercy of the men of her village after she was unable to pay Rs.50,000 as a fine demanded by the morol (headman) for having an affair with a man outside her community.
“The morol ordered that I be enjoyed by the men of the village. Following his orders, at least 10-12 people, including (some) members of a single family, continuously raped me. I lost count of how many times I was raped,” said the woman.
Meanwhile, a medical board has been constituted for her treatment.
“Though her condition continues to be critical, she is stable now. She has lost a lot of blood and only because she is physically and mentally very strong, she could survive the ordeal,” Suri Sadar Hospital superintendent Asit Biswas said.
The incident has evoked strong response from several quarters including West Bengal Governor MK Narayanan, demanding immediate corporal punishment for the culprits.
Meanwhile, the state government has said it will not only bear the medical expenses of the victim but will also provide compensation to her.
“We are sensitive to the issue and doing everything possible to not only ensure justice to her but also ensure an example is set by giving stringent punishment to the culprits. The government has provision for compensating such victims,” Women and Child Welfare Minister Shashi Panja said. (IANS)