In a shocking incident, a village panchayat in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh allegedly tried to force a minor rape victim’s family to accept a monetary deal of Rs 80,000 from the accused. However, going against the panchayat, the victim’s brother refused to accept it and lodged an FIR against the four accused.

According to the police, a 14-year-old victim was caught and dragged by the four men to an isolated place on last Wednesday evening when she was out to relieve herself. She was brutally gang-raped. The victim’s parents are no more, therefore she told her ordeal to her aunt who eventually told her brother on Thursday morning.

“Since the matter involved my little sister, I spent the whole of Thursday to gather support from villagers. On Friday evening, a panchayat was convened and its members pressured me to settle the case by accepting Rs 80,000 from the accused,” the girl’s brother, who works as a daily wage labourer, said.

He also added that after he refused panchayat’s dictate, it barred him from stepping out of the village. “After trying for almost an entire day, I managed to step out and reach the local police station on Saturday night,” the survivor’s brother said.

Based on his complaints, an FIR was registered at Dehligate police station against four accused-Chetan (24), Lakhan (30), Lalit Kumar (22) and Vikas (24) — under IPC sections 376 D (gang-rape), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 506 (criminal intimidation), apart from section 3 & 4 of the POCSO Act.

Three accused have been arrested while Chetan is still absconding. But the police hasn’t taken any action so far against panchayat members who tried to shield the accused. The police said after the medical examination, it has been confirmed that the girl was sexually harassed.

“I don’t want their money. I want action against them. They should be made to pay for what they did to my little sister,” said the girl’s brother.

Meanwhile, the SHO of the concerned Police Station said that fourth accused will be arrested soon. This is second such incident in Aligarh this where the panchayat tried to convince rape victim’s family to not to approach the police.