The Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) has taken a cognizance on news reports of a minor girl and a youth manhandled, worn garlands of shoes and sleepers, forced to parade in public in three villages of Chhindwara district.

MPHRC chairman Justice Narendra Kumar Jain has sought reply within three weeks from the superintendent of police Chhindwara in this matter.

The incident occurred in village Ambazhiri of Chhindwara district where a 17-year-old girl and her maternal uncle were manhandled, worn garlands of shoes and sleepers, forced to walk in public in three villages by the members of social panchayat on Saturday last, the official note of MPHRC said.

An FIR is registered against Motilal Kurveti, Dadubhau Ivanati, Saddu Ahake, Vipit Dhurve, Jogeshwar Kumare, Yashwant Ahake, Lal Singh Dhurve, all villagers of Ambazhiri and others in the Mohkheda police station of the district.

Over a dozen members of the social panchayat hold meeting at the house of the minor girl, accused the girl of eloped with a youth who in relation is her maternal uncle which according to the panchayat is wrong.

The panchs (members) insulted and abused the minor girl and youth, announced the verdict to wear them garlands of shoes and sleepers and parade in public three villages.