Accused Rapist Ordered To Wash Clothes For All Women In Village For 6 Months In Bail Deal

A 20-year-old man in India accused of attempted rape has been granted bail on the condition that he washes and irons the clothes of all the women in his village for half a year.

The man, identified as Lalan Kumar, was ordered by a judge Wednesday to provide 6 months of free laundry services to around 2,000 women in his home village of Majhor in the Indian state of Bihar, Agence France-Presse reported via Hindustan Times. Kumar, a washerman by profession, will have to pay for the detergent and other items needed.

Kumar is required to obtain a certificate of completion from the village head or any respectable public servant of the village and file the document in court.

During the virtual bail hearing, the judge also ordered Kumar to pay a bail bond of Rs 10,000 ($135) with two sureties of the same amount, a report by The Hindu said.

Kumar was arrested in April on charges of outraging the modesty of a woman and attempted rape. No date has been set for Kumar's trial.

"All the women in the village are happy with the court decision," village council head Nasima Khatoon, one of the village dignitaries who will monitor Kumar, told AFP. "It is historic. It will boost respect for women and help to protect dignity."

"This is a remarkable step and a different kind of punishment that sends a message to society," resident Anjum Perween was quoted as saying.

Kumar, though his lawyer, said in a statement that he was ready to "do community service relating to his profession" to show his respect for women.

While seeking regular bail, the lawyer also told the court that the "matter has been compromised between the informant and the petitioner, and the informant does not want to proceed with her case," according to The Hindu.

The same judge also granted an unusual bail in August to a man identified as Nitish Kumar, who was ordered to pay for the education of five poor children for three months and have the kids' parents certify it.

India's rape laws were reportedly overhauled after a 2012 gang rape in New Delhi, but the number of offenses remains high, with more than 28,000 rapes reported last year.