As per the stats provided by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for the year 2016, Uttar Pradesh tops the list with the maximum number of crime against women. | Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Lucknow: In Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh, five gang-rape accused were let off by village panchayat after slapping a fine of Rs 50,000 each. The rape occurred in Badhapur area of Bijnore which is around 3 hours away from the national capital Delhi. The victim, a minor was blackmailed by five men after the rape. The accused made a video footage of the entire act and threatened to release it on social media to intimidate the victim’s family.

After the unexpected verdict of the village panchayat, the family of victim approached Bhadapur police. After the statement of the victim, a case was registered against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. According to Mirror Now correspondent, police also promised to invoke NSA against the accused.

As per the initial reports, only one accused has been arrested so far. Rest of the accused are not under police custody. Moreover, no action was taken against the village panchayat by investigative agencies.

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In the western UP, sarpanch of village Badhapur slammed a fine of 50 thousand rupees on all accused who not only raped a minor but also video-graphed the assault. In fact, after that, they blackmailed the family of the victim to keep the crime under the wraps. When the family approached the panchayat, the accused men released the video. None of the accused has paid the fine yet. The police in charge for investigation claim that the probe is undergoing.

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As per the stats provided by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for the year 2016, Uttar Pradesh tops the list with the maximum number of crime against women. Country’s most populous state consistently recorded the maximum number of rapes in 2015 and 2016 as well.