A woman received a divorce order from her husband, approved by caste panchayat after failing a "virginity test" in Maharashtra.

A police complaint has been filed by two sisters from Kolhapur against their husbands over divorce from caste panchayat.

A police complaint has been filed by two sisters from Kolhapur against their husbands over divorce from caste panchayat.Two sisters from Kolhapur district in Maharashtra, married two men of the same community on November 27, 2020. One among the husbands was serving in Army, and another was a private employee.

On April 11, 2021, the sisters filed a police complaint against their husbands for alleged divorce from caste panchayat. In the complaint, the sisters mentioned that they were asked to undergo a virginity test after their wedding.

According to the Indian Express, the family conducted virginity tests as per a tradition followed by the community. One of the sisters failed the test and was accused of having a relationship with someone else in the past. In contrast, her sister passed the test. Following this, the girls were allegedly forced to go back to their hometown.

However, the girls' family tried to solve the issue, but the matter was later pushed to caste panchayat in the village. In February, the community panchayat declared the divorce in the presence of family members.

The girls filed a complaint against their respective husbands and approached Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti for help.

The police have booked eight people, including in-laws and members of the caste panchayat, regarding the incident. The FIR was registered under the sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Maharashtra Prohibition of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act.

Caste Panchayat or Jat Panchcayt is a traditional establishment existing in most of the rural areas of India. It consists of a body of prominent members, whereas the members would be only of a particular caste and sub-castes.