Woman consumes poison after Khap Panchayat decision:Punishment under ‘Jhagda’ custom includes Rs 9.50 lakh fine, social boycott; Khap president calls allegations baseless

A woman from Nai Bawal village in Neemuch allegedly consumed poison on Saturday after she was upset over a decision taken by a Khap Panchayat. She is in a serious condition and is currently undergoing treatment at Neemuch District Hospital. According to her second husband, Praveen Regar, the Khap Panchayat was called on December 6 at the community inn near Bhadwa Mata under the community’s ‘Jhagda Pratha’, a traditional dispute resolution system. He alleged that during the two-hour-long meeting, the panchayat imposed a fine of ₹9.5 lakh on the couple and ordered their social boycott for 14 years. Regar claimed that after the panchayat’s decision, members of the community began taunting the couple. He alleged that the constant harassment left his wife deeply distressed, following which she attempted suicide. A team from Dainik Bhaskar visited Nai Bawal village and spoke to both sides to understand the matter. Read this report It is reported that a 25-year-old woman from the village consumed poison, distressed by societal taunts and pressure to remarry. The incident occurred in the Jawad police station area. Local residents stated that the woman had remarried a person named Praveen three months ago. Prior to this, she was married about seven years ago in Rampura. The woman alleged that her first husband used to assault her. Distressed by this, she came to her maternal home during the Raksha Bandhan festival. However, her parents also refused to keep her with them. After this, the woman met a young man named Praveen, and they both got married. Panchayat on December 6, expelled for 14 years
The woman’s current husband, Praveen, is in the district hospital. Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, he alleged that people of the community, angered by the second marriage, called a panchayat on December 6. In this, the community’s president Karulal Raigar, vice-president Mohanlal Raigar, along with other office bearers, imposed a fine of 9 lakh 50 thousand rupees on the couple and pronounced the decision to expel them from the community for 14 years. Approximately 500 people were present at the panchayat. Such a huge penalty is beyond my means
Praveen Regar told Dainik Bhaskar that he works as a photographer. He is not able to pay such a large amount. Even before this, penalties have been imposed under the ‘Jhagra Pratha’ (dispute custom) in society, but the maximum amount has only been up to three lakh rupees. For the first time, a penalty of 9.50 lakh rupees has been imposed on him, which has mentally broken him. Such evil customs have been prevalent in society for years, and it is necessary to stop them. Praveen Regar’s second marriage too
According to the information, this is Lakshmi Regar’s second marriage. His current husband Praveen Regar’s first wife had also previously eloped with a young man from the community. At that time too, a Khap Panchayat was held and Praveen Regar received around three lakh rupees. To know the other side of the matter, Dainik Bhaskar’s team reached New Bawal village. They also spoke to the woman’s first husband and community officials regarding the matter. First husband said – married a second time without divorce
Kamlesh Jainwar, the first husband of a woman residing in Rampura, stated that his marriage to Lakshmi took place in 2017 under the ‘Aata-Sata’ custom. They have two young children, a three-year-old daughter and a one-and-a-half-year-old son. Kamlesh alleges that Lakshmi left her breastfeeding child and went away with Praveen Regar. Kamlesh says that Lakshmi made false allegations of assault against him and also filed a complaint at the women’s police station in August. At that time, Praveen Regar was also present with her. Society President Called the Allegations False
Karulal Regar, president of the Regar community, called all the allegations baseless. He said that the community has neither fined anyone nor excommunicated anyone. According to him, a panchayat was called on December 6 to mediate between both parties on Kamlesh’s complaint, but Praveen Regar left the meeting without presenting his side. He informed that a community meeting was organized at Kileshwar Temple, where efforts were made to get justice for the children and refute the false allegations being made against the community. Members said – children’s upbringing was being discussed
Babulal Regar, who participated in the panchayat, said that the Bhadwa Mata Jeevni Samiti of the Regar community has been working for the welfare of the society for years. Both parties were called on December 6 on the application of Kamlesh Jainwar. Villagers said – the ‘Jhagda Pratha’ (dispute custom) has been going on for years
On condition of anonymity, villagers said that the ‘Jhagda Pratha’ (dispute custom) has been prevalent in the society for a long time. Disputes of the society are always settled by calling a Khap Panchayat in this manner. Fines are also imposed for marrying into another community. The panchayat held in Bhadwa Mata lasted all night and the decision was announced there. Tehsildar said – Woman’s statements taken
Neemuch Tehsildar Sanjay Malviya stated that the woman’s statements were taken at the district hospital. She is married. She had consumed sulfas at home. The woman says that she was not heard in the December 6 Panchayat, but a fine of 9.50 lakh rupees was imposed. In addition, she was ostracized from the community for 14 years. Complete Timeline of the Incident