Rape Survivor Tortured By In-Laws After Failing ‘Virginity Test’

Bhilwara: Incidents of crime against women in India rose by 15.3% in 2021 compared to 2020, according to the National Crime Records Bureau of India.

In yet another case of oppression against women, a 24-year-old bride was allegedly tortured, beaten and forced to undergo a chastity (virginity) test in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district. And after she failed the test, a penalty of Rs 10 lakh was imposed on the rape survivor’s family by the khap (community) panchayat.

The woman is from the Sansi tribe, who reportedly practise ‘Kukadi pratha’ (virginity test). If a girl fails the test, a sum of Rs 10 lakh has to be given to the boy’s family.

According to DSP Surrendra Kumar, the 24-year-old had earlier lodged a case against her neighbour accusing him of raping her. She then got married on May 11, 2022, and was forced to undergo the virginity test.

The police official informed that the woman’s father-in-law is a head constable and was aware of the rape incident. Yet, she was asked to undergo such humiliation, torture and harassment. To rub it in, her ordeal was made public by calling the khap panchayat.

A case under IPC sections 498A (coercing a woman to meet unlawful demand), 384 (extortion), 509 (insulting the modesty of woman) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) has been lodged against the husband’s family.