Panchayat pushes 5 to suicide

After a suicide note was recovered from Jat’s hut,clearly stating that the panchayat order had led them to take the extreme step,police arrested two members of the caste panchayat. Karauli Additional SP Mamman Singh said they are Kanwar Devi’s brother Mohan and her mother Maya Devi. The police are looking for the other members,who are absconding.

According to Karauli District Collector Neeraj K Pawan,Jat and Kanwar had become close to each other since 2008,and this was frowned upon by Bajana residents. “Kanwar’s mother and brother,settled in Agra,came to Bajana last month since Kanwar had stopped sending them money. The duo then alleged to the caste panchayat that Kanwar had given Jat Rs 10,000 and demanded that he return it,” Pawan said.

The duo reportedly then convinced the villagers to take the matter to the caste panchayat. On April 15,it upheld the allegation by Kanwar Devi’s family that Jat had borrowed Rs 10,000 from her and ordered that he give it back with interest. “While Jat and Kanwar testified that no money was involved,it was to no avail,” Pawan said.

The panchayat ruled that Jat should pay the money or face excommunication from the village. A small-time farmer with just one-and-a-half bighas of land,Jat did not have Rs 60,000 to give to the panchayat. The police say he offered the panchayat his land and belongings instead,but was turned down.