NHRC seeks report from TN on alleged sale of Dalit woman

New Delhi, Nov 21 (UNI) Taking suo motu cognizance of a news report about alleged auction of a Dalit woman Panchayat President in Tamil Nadu's Madurai district, NHRC has sought a factual report from the state government within two weeks.

The Commission has also directed that the news report be forwarded to the Madurai District Collector for the report.

NHRC said if the contents of the report are true, they raise serious issues about the violation of human rights of the Dalit woman.

According to the report, Madurai village, Kodikulam auctioned Balamani Veeman, an illiterate woman, for Rs 2.16 lakh.

The report said she was auctioned despite pleas that she would hand over her earnings to the village committee.

''The village had decided that the highest bidder could use Balamani as a rubberstamp for signing agreements and contracts for the village and take the commission for himself,'' it said.

''Balamani was reportedly auctioned on November 18 by upper caste elders, despite protest from her husband,'' it added.

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