Couple abused in Uttar Pradesh for inter-caste marriage

LUCKNOW - A panchayat in Uttar Pradesh has ordered the breakup of a marriage between an upper caste man and a Dalit woman. The couple were also assaulted and were forced to leave the village after they refused to separate, officials said Wednesday.

The incident was reported in Mohammadpur Trilok village in Bijnor district, where Indrajeet Singh (30) along with his wife were Tuesday beaten and abused for their inter-caste marriage, officials added.

The panchayat also said they would shun Singh’s family and declared that a fine of Rs.5,000 would be imposed on those violating this order.

According to locals, a few weeks ago Singh secretly married a Dalit woman. They both ran away from home and got married in another village. Some elders in the village, who informed the panchayat members, spotted Singh.

The panchayat was convened Tuesday evening and the couple were assaulted and then forced to leave the village when they refused to separate as per the order delivered by the village council, the locals added.

At present Singh and his wife have taken shelter at another village. Singh has also sought help from the district and police administration.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) R.S. Dwivedi Wednesday told reporters: “The incident has come to our knowledge. With assistance from the police, an enquiry has been initiated into the matter.”

“Strict action would be taken against those involved in the incident,” he added.

Bijnor is about 400 km from here.