Bihar— In the district of Begusarai, a shocking incident unfolded that shook the community to its core. The husband of a local councilor, known for his power and influence, attempted to rape a woman . When the woman resisted his attempts, the accused thrashed her, shaved her head and paraded her in the locality. An FIR has been registered and the main accused has been arrrsted, police said. An investigation is underway. 

The victim managed to reach the Bhakhari police station late evening and narrated her ordeal. She told the police in her complaint that on May 30, the councilor's husband, accompanied by his henchmen, brazenly invaded her home. He seized her forcefully and attempted to rape her. When people gathered hearing her cries, the ward no 2 councillor AlamAara felt humiliated and hence instigated her husband Tabrez and their two sons Aman and Chunna to disgrace her. The men with the help of few women blackened her face and made her walk through the locality further dehumanizing her, she said. 

The Mooknayak spoke to the SHO at Bhakhari police station for details. Himanshu Kumar Singh, the station house officer said that the incident was true and the main accused has been arrested and sent to judicial custody. Giving details Himanshu Singh told The Mooknayak, " Unfortunately, in this shameful act a woman has been behind disgracing another woman. Prima facie the councillor seems to be at fault and upon subsequent investigation all the culprits would be arrested, no compromise would be made in such a grave case. "

Victim married, resides in Rajasthan

The officer also clarified that the victim hailed from Rampur Pathan Toli, located within the jurisdiction of the Bhakhari police station. The woman, married and residing in Rajasthan, had come to visit her parents few days ago, she became embroiled in this horrific ordeal. The officer said that the victim had allegedly got entangled in a complicated situation with a local boy, whose wife accused her of disrupting the harmony of their relationship. The councillor intervened in the matter. 

This accusation led to a Panchayati, a village council meeting, where Tabrez Shams' family initiated a campaign of harassment against the victim. 

The Superintendent of Police Yogendra Kumar emphasized  that decisions made in a Panchayat should adhere to the principles of justice and fairness, rather than resorting to arbitrary and inhumane actions. Consequently, Shams Tabrez was arrested, and his two sons are slated for arrest as well the officer told the media. 

Evoked haunting memories of 2014 Rajasthan incident

As the news of this incident spread, it evoked haunting memories of a similar barbaric event that occurred nine years ago in a village in Rajasthan. In that case, in November 2014, a 40-year-old woman in Charbhuja block of Rajsamand district was subjected to a ghastly ordeal at the hands of local village panchayat members. They paraded her partially unclothed on a donkey, her face blackened, based on their suspicion of her involvement in a murder case in Rajsamand district. Police arrested 39 persons in the case. 

Charges were filed against them under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 452 (house trespass), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 354B (assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to disrobe), 384 (extortion), and 389 (putting a person in fear of accusation of offense to commit extortion). 

Ironically, it was the victim's own family who had initially approached the panchayat, suspecting her involvement in the murder of her nephew. Among those arrested were nine members of the victim's family, illustrating the complexity of the situation.

In an effort to protect the victim and remove her from the hostile environment, she was relocated to a shelter home away from the village.  The incident grabbed wide attention from national and international media and subsequently the United Nations took cognizance of the incident. 

Cruelity against women not uncommon in India

In certain Indian rural communities, there are instances where women suspected of engaging in witchcraft or extramarital affairs are subjected to degrading punishments, such as being forcibly stripped and paraded around. This practice is particularly prevalent in tribal areas.

Moreover, women may also face humiliation for reasons unrelated to witchcraft, such as unpaid debts or if their children enter into relationships with individuals from different castes. These acts of humiliation are often intended to shame and intimidate the women involved.

In October 2014, a woman residing in the eastern state of Jharkhand was forcibly stripped naked and recorded by her husband's relatives. Subsequently, they used the video footage to blackmail her.

Similarly, in July 2014, a 60-year-old woman in the eastern state of Orissa was stripped, physically assaulted, and tied to an electricity pole by individuals who accused her of practicing witchcraft.

In January 2015 in Udaigarh area of Alirajgarh in Madhya Pradesh a married woman and her lover were stripped and tonsured for eloping . 

Such incidents highlight the existence of certain regressive practices within certain communities, and they do not represent the broader attitudes or behaviors of all individuals in India.