Court labels inter-caste marriage as 'attempt to rape'

The district court in Parbat has issued a suspension order to the inter-caste marriage held two years back in the district between a Dalit (untouchable) boy and a Brahmin girl.

The single bench of Justice Karuan Nidhi Sharma has made the decision in that regard.

The bench, however, ruled out the petition claiming the marriage, held two years back at Dharsing VDC-7 of the district, as 'child-marriage' since the evidences presented won't verify the facts. The court verdict stated that the boy Som Bahadur BK has forcefully raped the girl Sheema Sharma (name changed) whom he got married.

The court also announced a seven years jail term to BK for the rape and also declared to give half of his property to girl Sharma.

"Though the prosecution stated that the marriage was performed in mutual understanding between the boy and girl, it could not be termed a legal marriage as the girl is underage and thus the case is of forceful rape," stated the court verdict.

After the protracted love affairs, both BK and Sharma, resident of the same VDC had got married in presence of the local Maoist representatives. But a month after the marriage, relatives of the girl had lodged a case in the court against child-marriage and forceful rape. During the marriage the girl was 14 and boy was 17. According to the Nepalese laws the marriageable age of the boy and girl is 20 and 18 respectively in case of marriage against parent's will and wish.

Meanwhile, BK has turned a Maoist cadre soon after escaping the jail in bill. The court said he is at large at the moment.

Dalits organizations, meanwhile, have criticized the court orders blaming it the planned action to demoralize Dalits and minorities.