Thaindian News

Jhajjar (Haryana), July 17 (IANS) A 24-year-old Haryana man Friday allegedly attempted suicide by consuming poison after the village ‘panchayat’ (council) boycotted him and his family for marrying a girl of the same clan though from a different village, police said.
According to police, Ravinder Gehlout consumed poison in Dharana village in Jhajjar district after he was told by the panchayat to either divorce the girl or dispose off his property and leave the village by Sunday.

The panchayat also pronounced a hefty fine on any one interacting with Gehlout or his family.

“Although his condition is stable, he is not in a position to give his statement. We have started our investigation but are waiting to get his version recorded. Doctors have kept him under observation,” said a police official. Gehlout has been admitted to a hospital in Rohtak town.

Gehlout, works in Delhi with a transport company, married Shilpa of Siwah village near Panipat town, about four months back.

Gehlout’s village panchayat (council) was against the marriage as it said the couple from the same gotra (clan) cannot be married.

Representatives from Gehlout’s village even went to Shilpa’s village Thursday to persuade her family for a mutual divorce.

However, the girl’s family declined.

Lalchand, grandfather of Shilpa, said, “We are totally against this divorce as it would destroy our daughter’s life. The groom’s family was well aware about our gotra before the marriage and we had not kept anybody in the dark (about it). Rather they should try and convince their panchayat.”

A member of Gehlout’s family said: “We had also approached the local police and demanded security from them. But they did not pay any heed to our pleas. Ravinder was under depression since yesterday (Thursday).”