Khap Panchayat: Villagers order victims to marry rapists in West Godavari

West Godavari: West Godavari district has slipped into a shock after community elders in Khap Panchayat style ordered two minor girls to marry their rapists after they became pregnant in a village under Dwaraka Tirumala Mandal.

The incident came to light when village elders performed the marriage a 17- year-old accused and the 16- year-old rape survivor on Sunday. Later they attempted to perform the marriage of another rape accused with the second victim.

However, on Tuesday the accused approached the police to file a complaint of child marriage.

Reports said two brothers aged 19 and 17 were in a relationship with two minor girls. Later both girls became pregnant.

The marriage of a 17-year-old boy and one of the rape survivors was performed by the elders in the village.

Child Development Project Officer, Bhimadole, K Vijaya Lakshmi along with her team prevented the marriage of another rape accused following the information.

The 17- year old boy approached the police citing that it was a child marriage.

Police intervened and booked two brothers under Section 6 of POSCO Act, Section 376 of IPC (rape), and also section 312 IPC (for trying to abort the fetus). Cops also filed a case against five villagers who performed the marriage.

According to In-charge DSP Eluru sub-division G Pydeswara Rao, two rape accused are brothers

The two girls used to work in agricultural land in the village under Dwaraka Tirumala Mandal in West Godavari district.

When the girls became pregnant, there was an uproar in the village. To resolve the issue, the village elders married 17 year-old boy to a 16-year-old girl on September 27.

Two minor girls who are pregnant were sent to Eluru government hospital to conduct medical tests.