Jaipur: A complaint has been registered against a caste panchayat in Rajasthan’s Barmer district for forcefully marrying a minor girl against the wishes of her parents.
“A complaint has been lodged against 17 members of a panchayat by Genaram for forcefully marrying his 15-year-old daughter Champa,” a police official at Sheo police station in Barmer district, over 530 km from Jaipur, told IANS over phone.
In his complaint registered a few days ago through a court order, Genaram alleged that the caste panchyat also ordered ostracisation of the family if they refused to send Champa to her in-laws’ place.
Police have started investigation the incident.
Genaram in his complaint said that despite his opposition, his daughter was married to Bastaram on April 11, 2015.
“I told members of the panchayat that my daughter is a minor and I would not like her to get married. But they (panchayat) did not listen to me and forcefully got her married.
“The next day, I refused to send my daughter to her in-laws’ place but she was forced to go.
“After a few days, I brought my daughter back and I refused to send her back to her in-laws till she became an adult,” he said.
He said the panchayat on January 30, “while insulting me, ordered social boycott of my family and ordered me to pay Rs 25 lakh as fine”.
–IANS