Khap panchayat fines girl for love marriage, attacks her
When Neelavathi’s family did not pay the amount, a group of people went to the house and forced girl to pay the amount
TIRUPATI: A fresh case of a Khap Panchayat imposing a fine on a girl’s family for her “love marriage” outside of her local community and of its members attacking her has been registered in this region even as the Supreme Court had ruled that such panchayat actions are illegal.
The incidents were reported from a village under Yerpedu police station limits in Tirupati district.
K Neelavathi of Patha Veerapuram Dalitwada fell in love with N Srihari of Kadapa and the two got married a month ago with the consent of the elders on both sides.
After the marriage, when she came to her parents’ house on October 12, the village elders gathered at her house and held a panchayat. They passed a resolution that the girl’s family must pay Rs 25,000 as penance or undertake some development work in the local temple, or organise a feast to all the villagers.
When Neelavathi’s family did not pay the amount, a group of people went to the house and forced girl to pay the amount. As she refused to do this, an argument followed. The group allegedly attacked Neelavathi and she has been admitted to the SVR Ruia GGH here for treatment of her injuries.
The Supreme Court had ruled it is illegal for Khap panchayats to interfere in marriages between two consenting adults, and they should not summon and punish the couples.
Khap panchayats are caste or community-based groups, present mostly in rural areas of north India. They at times act as quasi-judicial entities and pronounce harsh punishments based on age-old customs.
Confirming the development to the Deccan Chronicle, the Yerpedu police said they registered a case based on a complaint from the victim’s family.