Jharkhand village orders last rites of woman charged with adultery

RANCHI - A Jharkhand ‘panchayat’ (village council) has ordered the last rites of a woman to be performed for allegedly having an extra-marital affair, media reports said Monday.

According to the reports, Sunita Devi, a resident of Barki Gorang village, 70 km from here, was allegedly having an affair with her neighbour Harinath Bhokta. She is married to Ram Dayal Munda and has two children.

Sunita and Bhokta reportedly admitted to their relationship in writing before the panchayat which was convened Jan 23. On Sunday, the panchayat decreed that the women be considered ‘dead’ and her last rites be performed.

According to media reports, Sunita says that she was forced to admit to the relationship and her husband is refusing to live with her.