PATNA, India, Sept 23, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - An Indian man accused of 
attempted rape has been given bail on condition that he wash and iron the 
clothes of all women in his village for six months.

   Lalan Kumar, 20, will have to buy detergent and other items needed to 
provide six months of free laundry services to about 2,000 women in the 
village of Majhor in Bihar state, under the ruling made Wednesday.

   Kumar, who washes clothes for a living, was arrested in April on charges 
including attempted rape, Santosh Kumar Singh, a police officer in Bihar's 
Madhubani district, told AFP.

   No date has been set for his trial.

   "All the women in the village are happy with the court decision," Nasima 
Khatoon, the head of the village council, told AFP.

   "It is historic. It will boost respect for women and help to protect 
dignity," added Khatoon, one of the village dignitaries who will monitor 
Kumar.

   Women in the village said the order had made a positive impact by making 
crime against women a subject of discussion in their community.

   "This is a remarkable step and a different kind of punishment that sends a 
message to society," said Anjum Perween.

   India's rape laws were overhauled after a 2012 gang rape in New Delhi but 
the number of offences remains high, with more than 28,000 rapes reported in 
2020.

   Police have long been accused of not doing enough to prevent violent crime 
and failing to bring sexual assault cases to court.