It is now pressurising Pawan to accept Kavita, whom he married at Chandigarh one and a half years ago against the wishes of his family and the village, as his sister. The body wants Kavita to tie a rakhi, a traditional band symbolising the brother-sister bond, to Pawan. They have been ordered to live separately.
The area police, which investigated the matter following pressure from the media and human rights activists, refused to register a case of kidnapping against the panchayat members who took away the infant from his mother.
'The panchayat matters have social sanction. We cannot interfere with the decision of the panchayat,' a deputy superintendent of police said on condition of anonymity.
Pawan said that except for the media and some social activists, he had not received any support from the administration or police.
'I fear that some elements might try to eliminate me and my family. I want my wife and child back. Where was the panchayat when we were married for one and a half years,' he questioned.
Pawan said that he was not in a position to pay the penalty of Rs.65,000. 'I am poor and even Rs.1,000 is a heavy amount for me,' he said.
