One of the khap councils, notorious for their vicious campaign against couples getting married within the same clan, accused him of violating a custom of no-marriage between the sects of Gehlawat and Kadiyan as they have a 'brotherhood' akin to consanguinity.

Due to mounting pressure from the khap, Ravinder tried to commit suicide. His family left for a relative's house in anther village but returned amid security cover.

'The boy's family is safe. They are cooperating with the police. We will not allow anyone to take the law into his hand,' said Singh.

Naseeb Singh, a relative of the family, told IANS: 'Why should we leave our village? We have full faith in India's judiciary and we are determined to fight for justice.'