Gumla: Two inquiry teams constituted by the Gumla administration on Tuesday visited the village where a 3-year-old girl was allegedly raped by an 18-year-old youth on July 11, to investigate charges of panchayat representatives trying to hush up the case by imposing a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the accused and using 20% of the cash to organise a feast.As the matter came to light, the accused was arrested late on Sunday and sent to judicial custody on Monday.One panel was led by district panchayati raj officer Shishir Kumar Singh, while the other was headed by local circle officer and designated magistrate Sushil Khakha. The teams were accompanied by two child welfare committee members and police officer Mohan Kumar Singh.Singh told TOI, “We spoke to the mukhiya and others, including the elder brother of the accused, who said the girl was raped. We gathered detailed information and will soon submit a report to the district administration.”Khakha said that villagers handed over the proceedings of a meeting held on Sunday, signed by around 70 people and a panchayat samiti member. “The document states that a fine should be imposed on the accused, but it does not mention that legal action should not be taken against him,” he said.On the alleged exchange of money, Khakha said villagers gave conflicting accounts. “Some claimed the issue was discussed during the meeting, while others denied that any money was paid on Sunday,” he added.
