In a shocking incident from Bihar’s Sheohar district, a father’s life ended in tragedy after a village panchayat imposed a hefty fine over his son’s elopement with a local girl. Prabhu Rai, 45, was found hanging from a tree in a nearby orchard on Thursday morning, leaving his family devastated and the village buzzing with rumors.
The drama unfolded in Baryapur village under Tariyani police station. Prabhu’s son, Dhiraj Kumar, fled to Mumbai with his lover on Mahashivratri. The families tracked them down and brought them back on February 22. To settle the matter, a panchayat was convened, which ordered Prabhu to pay Rs 7 lakh to the girl’s family as compensation.
Unable to meet the demand due to financial constraints, tensions escalated within the household. Prabhu’s suicide has sparked widespread speculation. While some claim it was self-inflicted due to the pressure, others, including family members, allege murder linked to the panchayat verdict.
SDPO Sushil Kumar led the police response, dispatching the body for postmortem and launching a multi-angle probe into possible homicide or suicide. Prabhu’s son Nikesh accused the panchayat members of orchestrating the killing, claiming his father was hanged in a litchi garden as punishment for refusing the fine.
As investigations continue, this case highlights the perilous influence of kangaroo courts in rural India, where traditional justice systems often override legal norms, pushing vulnerable families to the brink. The community awaits clarity, hoping for swift justice amid grief-stricken whispers.