NHRC concerned on inference of caste panchayats

The NHRC on 10th June, 2009 decided to send a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, seeking his comments as to what steps are being taken to prevent interference of caste panchayats in the administration of criminal justice in the state. This follows Commission’s cognizance of two media reports published on 2nd and 9th October, 2005 concerning two acts of crime violating the human rights of the victims allegedly committed in District Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. It appeared from the incidents that the caste panchayats were interfering in the administration of criminal justice. The media report dated 2nd October, 2005 mentioned an incident relating to an honour killing in the village Kakrauli in which a girl was hanged and her face was burnt after the family discovered that she wanted to marry a boy against their wishes. In another incident published by media on 9th October, 2005, a young man belonging to an influential family raped the daughter of a factory watchman in the village, Phuguna. However, the matter was hushed up by the village panchayat following the apology by the father of the alleged rapist. The Commission had issued notices to the SSP of District Muzaffarnagar seeking factual reports in these two incidents. The SSP sent reply denying that a rape was committed on the daughter of a factory watchman as claimed by media report. His reply in the case concerning honour killing is still awaited.