Panchayat member arrested for rape of 'mahadalit' woman

A panchayat member was arrested today for allegedly raping a 'mahadalit' (SC) woman in Katihar district, police said.
The police also registered FIRs against four other accused.
Police officials said that the panchayat was allegedly trying to hush up the case by ordering the accused to pay Rs 41,000 to the victim of the crime, and asking her not to approach the police.
The accused not only refused to pay the money but also barged barged into the house of the woman, poured kerosene on her husband and set him on fire.
The victim brought her injured husband to meet Katihar Superintendent of Police (SP) Kshatraneel Singh yesterday, after which he ordered enquiry and action into the incident.

"We have registered FIRs against four persons and arrested one of the accused, Naresh Ravidas. The main accused Prakash Ravidas, who is a panchayat ward member and two others are absconding and we are conducting raids to nab them," said Sunil Kumar, Station House Officer (SHO) of Kodha police station, under which the panchayat is located.
The incident occurred on December 15, 2014 when the woman was called to panchayat building by Prakash on the pretext of readying documents related to Indira Awas Yojanawhere she was raped.
The police said the accused will be put on speedy trial in the court after they are arrested.