The Class-I student who was subjected to the ‘penance’ by villagers in

Kota

KOTA: What would otherwise pass for a mischievous act by a five-year-old, turned into one filled with punishment and shame for Khushbu, a Class 1 student, who accidentally destroyed the eggs of a Red-wattled lapwing bird on her school premises in Bundi district . It caused panic in the village because according to folklore the bird is considered to be the 'messenger of rain'.Upset about the girl's act, the village heads announced that she had committed a sin, and banned her from entering her house for 11 days claiming that 'penance' and 'purification' were necessary.The matter reportedly came to light on Wednesday and local administration and police reached the village and convinced the locals to discontinue the ill practice. "When the team reached her house, she was found sitting on a cot in the front yard. Her family members told us about the incident and how she had not stepped into the house since July 3," said Hindoli tehsildar, Bhawana Singh, who added that the girl had been allowed to attend school.The girl was allowed inside her house only after several rituals for her 'purification' were performed.Taking cognisance of the incident, the State Human Rights Commission and the State Commission for Women have sought a detailed report from the district administration and the police by July 19 and 18, respectively. Police are yet to take any action against the village heads. "The matter is under investigation,'' said SHO Laxman Singh.