Maharashtra Man Allegedly Locks Dalit Woman Sarpanch in Panchayat Office

A man in Maharashtra's Latur district allegedly locked a Dalit woman sarpanch inside a gram panchayat office following her refusal to sign certain documents. Villagers later rescued her, and a case was registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

A man in Maharashtra's Latur district faces charges after allegedly locking a Dalit woman sarpanch inside the gram panchayat office. The incident occurred in Shivankhed village, Chakur tehsil, police reported Friday.

The accused, Suraj Baliram Sake, sought the signature of village sarpanch Bainabai Salunke on particular documents. Upon her refusal, he purportedly locked her inside the office. She was later freed by the local villagers, according to a police official.

A case has been registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and an investigation is ongoing, the official added.