A village-level body can hear some petty civil and criminal cases and impose fines, but cannot award a sentence. In punishing which of the following has this body been particularly effective?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Men who harass women for dowry and use violence against them
Option (1) Moneylenders who charge very high interest from villagers — Incorrect. Moneylenders charging high interest are a real rural problem. The village courts are not credited with special success against them; their noted success lies in dowry and violence cases.
Option (2) Landlords who evict tenants from their land — Incorrect. Eviction of tenants is a land and tenancy matter. The record of these village courts shows no special success against landlords.
Option (3) Traders who sell goods at inflated prices — Incorrect. Overcharging by traders is a market matter. The village courts are not known for any special success in punishing such traders.
Option (4) Men who harass women for dowry and use violence against them — Correct. The body described is the Nyaya Panchayat, a village court that can hear petty civil and criminal cases and impose fines but cannot award a sentence. It has been particularly effective in punishing men who harass women for dowry and use violence against them.
NCERT (2026-27): “Powers and Responsibilities of Panchayats … |