Kangaroo Court in Odisha’s Village Takes Law into Its Own Hands

A woman in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district was allegedly ostracised and tonsured by a kangaroo court after a quarrel with her husband. The makeshift court also imposed a penalty on her. Four people, including the woman's husband, have been arrested following a police complaint.

A woman in Odisha's Jharsuguda district was allegedly ostracised and forcibly tonsured by a kangaroo court following a domestic quarrel, according to local police.

The incident occurred at Routbahal village when, after a dispute on August 9, the woman's husband informed the villagers, leading to the convening of the kangaroo court. The court ordered the woman to be ostracised, tonsured, and fined Rs 5,000. She was also directed to host a mutton feast for the villagers.

After the punitive actions, the woman and her son filed a complaint with the police. Laikera police station officer-in-charge Dillip Kumar Behera stated that the husband and three other senior villagers have been arrested for their involvement.

(With inputs from agencies.)