This Article is From Apr 22, 2012

Panchayat lets off rapists with warning; victim commits suicide

Ghaziabad: A 13-year-old gang rape victim allegedly committed suicide after she was not allowed to file a police complaint by the local Panchayat, who reportedly let off the rapists with a mere warning.

The girl allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself with a dupatta in her house in Garhmukteshwar town under Panchsheel Nagar district, on Saturday evening, police said.

The victim was allegedly gang raped by three men on Wednesday, when she had gone to attend a wedding, they said.

When she complained to her parents, they took the matter to the Panchayat, officials said, adding, that the Panchayat allegedly did not allow the girl to file a police complaint and let off the accused with a mere warning.

Depressed over the incident, the girl committed suicide on Saturday evening, after which locals protested against the police and the Panchayat for allegedly protecting the accused and demanded immediate action against them.

Investigation into the matter is on, police said.
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