Lalan Kumar, an Indian accused of attempted rape, was released on one condition: wash and iron the clothes of the women in his village for 6 months.
In April 2021, Lalan Kumar, a 20-year-old Indian man, was arrested for attempted rape. In prison since then, he had applied for bail pending trial. His wish was granted this Wednesday, September 22. The court decided to release the launderer on bail but on one very specific condition. He agreed to wash and iron, for 6 months, at his expense, the laundry of the 2,000 women living in his village Majhor, located in the state of Bihar in northeastern India.
Several women living in Majhor congratulated this initiative of Indian justice. “All the women in the village are happy with the court’s decision”Nasima Khatoon, the head of the village council, told AFP. For her part, Nasima Khatoon, one of the village dignitaries responsible for monitoring Lalan Kumar, called this decision “Historical” specifying that “This will strengthen respect for women and help protect their dignity”.
Accused of rape, a young Indian will have to wash the clothes of the women of his village
Anjum Perween, another resident of Majhor, added that this is a “Remarkable milestone and a different kind of punishment that sends a message to society.” Indeed, India has to face a very deep problem of rape culture in its society. If more than 28,000 rapes were recorded in India during the year 2020, it is estimated that very few sex crimes are actually reported to the police.
Even if this scourge remains particularly widespread in the country, for several years, Indian laws have been gradually reinforced in order to punish those found guilty of rape. Thus, in March 2020, four men were executed for the gang rape of a student in a Delhi bus in December 2012. Since March 2013, the Indian Parliament has adopted an “anti-rape” law against sexual assault. The culprits are sentenced to 20 years in prison, life imprisonment or the death penalty in the event of the death of their victim.
Article produced by Joséphine Argence.