MUZAFFARGARH: A local panchayat was held on Wednesday to mete out punishment to a man suspected of having illicit relations with a woman in Seetpur area, around 120 kilometers from the city.

He endured the humiliation of having his head and eyebrows shaved, and his face blackened, while a video of the incident was uploaded on the social media.

Victim Baqir, a resident of Alipur, said he was called by Sabir for a meeting in Seetpur. He said when he reached there, a panchayat had already been convened, with several people present.

They accused him of relations with a local woman, an allegation he denied. He said his head and eyebrows were shaved and his face was blackened with ink.

Baqir said later he contacted police 15 and a team took him to Seetpur police station, where he lodged a formal complaint.

He said on the orders of DPO Syed Hasnain Haider, the Seetpur police are holding an inquiry into the matter.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2024