A 20-year-old in a Malda village was found hanging in his bedroom in Malda on Thursday morning, raising the suspicion of suicide a day after he and his family members were reportedly abused, assaulted and forced to pay a fine at a salishi sabha.

On Wednesday, the salishi sabha was called by some villagers who got to know he was reportedly having an affair with a 17-year-old girl.

Reportedly, the girl’s family disapproved of her relationship with Basudeb Mahaldar, 20, who made a living by running a tractor.

On Wednesday, the girl went missing. Her family found her and the youth in the village and learnt that they planned to get married.

“Instead of approaching the police, the girl’s family sought the villagers’ intervention and soon a salishi sabha was convened,” said a source.

Basudeb, along with his father and other family members, was asked to attend the meeting.

In the course of the meeting, a section of villagers abused and assaulted the youth and his family.

“We were insulted and beaten. A fine was imposed on us and we had to pay a portion of it. My son could not bear the humiliation and we suspect that is why he took such a drastic step,” said Dilip Mahaldar, the youth’s father.

Later on Thursday, the youth’s family filed a complaint with the police.

“We have recovered the body. It has been sent to Malda Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem and we waiting for the reports. A preliminary probe has begun,” said a police officer.

In Malda district, such salishi sabhas — which have no legal bearing — have been held in rural areas in the past as well.

In November last year, a homemaker in Kaliachak alleged that she was asked by such a salishi sabha to accept monetary compensation when she accused a local resident of raping her with the promise of marriage.

Earlier, in August 2022, mayhem had broken out at a similar public meeting in Jatradanga where a minor was shot at and two others were injured.

Again, in July 2021, a 19-year-old boy in Manikchak of Malda committed suicide a day after he was forced to marry a minor girl, obeying the instructions of such a salishi sabha.