Bihar: Man, girl allegedly lynched on panchayat's order

In an incident of 'honour killing', a 25-year-old man and his minor girlfriend were lynched at Ametha village of Gaya district in Bihar on Wednesday.

The killings, carried out by the family members of the girl, allegedly had the approval of the village panchayat, locals said.

The assailants, in cahoots with panchayat members, also cremated the bodies in a hurry to conceal evidence.

Police said the man, a father of three, was in love with the 16-year-old girl.

On Wednesday morning, some people spotted the two outside the village and immediately informed the family members of the girl.

The two were brought before the village panchayat, which allegedly 'endorsed' the 'honour killing', scripted by the girl's family. The parents killed the duo and cremated their bodies in the presence of panchayat members.

A police team, led by SSP Manu Maharaaj, visited the village to take stock of the incident and spoke to locals.

"This is a clear case of honour killing. Thge police have registered at case at Wazirganj police station in which members of the girl's family have been named as accused," Maharaaj said.

"A female relative of the girl has been arrested. Raids are on to nab the other accused", he said.

He ruled out any role of the panchayat in the incident. The SSP, however, said the police were considering every possible angle in its probe ambit.