An Indian man accused of attempted rape has been released on bail under a rather strange condition. Lalit Kumar, 20, will have to purchase detergents and other supplies to provide free laundry services for six months for the clothes of around 2,000 women in the village of Majhar in Bihar, according to a ruling issued on Wednesday.
Santosh Kumar Singh, a police officer in Madhubani district of Bihar, told AFP that Kumar, who earns a living doing laundry, was arrested in April on charges including attempted rape. No date has yet been set for his trial.
Naseema Khatoon, the head of the village council, told AFP that "all the women of the village are happy with the court's decision." Khatoon, a prominent figure in the village who will monitor Kumar, added, "It is historic and will enhance the respect for women and help protect their dignity."
Women in the village view this ruling as positive, as it has opened discussions regarding crimes against women. Anjum Perween stated, "This is a wonderful step and a different kind of punishment that sends a message to society."
Laws regarding rape in India were amended after a gang rape in 2012 in New Delhi, but the number of crimes remains high, with over 28,000 reported cases of rape in 2020. The police have long faced accusations of failing to make adequate efforts to prevent violent crimes and failing to refer sexual assault cases to court.
