A local court in Jhanjharpur in Bihar’s Madhubani district granted bail to a man accused of molesting and indecently treating a woman on a unique condition. The court has directed him to wash the clothes of 2000 women for the next six months.
Justice Avinash Kumar was hearing the bail petition of 20-year-old Lalan Kumar. Lalan Kumar used to do laundry and therefore, the court directed him to wash and iron the clothes of all the women in the village for the next 6 months for free. A copy of the order has been shared with the village Sarpanch to keep a check on Lalan Kumar.
Defence lawyer Parshuram Mishra stated, “Lalan tried to rape a woman of his village in the night of April 17. The victim had lodged an FIR against the accused a day later and he was arrested on April 19. Since then, he has been in jail.”
He added, “We filed a bail application in the ADJ court. During the hearing of the case, the judge, in view of his good behavior in jail and apology in the court, has given bail to my client on the condition of washing the clothes of 2,000 women of the village, and pressing them, before handing it over to respective women.”
“This was a great decision by the court. It will give a message to respect women and also create guilt in the mind of men having anti-female nature. Lalan will be responsible for purchasing the necessary items for washing the clothes such as detergent powder, irons, and soap,” said Nasima Khatoon, the village chief.
Nasima further said, “I will personally monitor the daily work of the accused to implement the court order. Our village has 425 women and every woman will give clothes in rotation until the 2,000 number is achieved.”
