“Wash & iron clothes for free of all women in village for six months”: Bihar Court's bail condition to man accused of outraging a woman’s modesty

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On condition of washing and ironing clothes of all women in the village for the next six months, a Bihar court last week granted bail to a washerman who was accused of outraging the modesty of a woman.

The Additional Sessions Judge Avinash Kumar of Jhanjharpur, Madhubani imposed this bail condition taking into account the statement of the accused’s counsel that the man was willing to do community service relating to his profession.

The bail applicant, a 20 years old young man, was accused of outraging the modesty of a woman (the informant) and for attempting to rape her while she was sleeping. Thereafter, a case was registered against him under Section 354 (B) of IPC.

The accused was in custody since April this year. His counsel informed the court that the investigation in the matter has been completed and the charge sheet has been filed as well.

It was further submitted that the informant and the accused have come to a compromise regarding the matter and the former is inclined to proceed with it.

Along with these submissions, the accused’s counsel presented man’s will before the court that he is ready to do community service relating to his profession to show his respect to women.

Therefore, considering his period of custody, the fact that the matter had been compromised and that charge sheet had been filed, the Court allowed the bail plea. Court directed,

"...the petitioner shall wash and iron the clothes of all women of the village of informant including informant/victim free of cost for six months and after completion of six months shall obtain a certificate from Mukhia / sarpanch or any respectable public servant of the village and file in the court concerned."

Also, the accused was directed to be released on bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 10,000.

The court also directed the copy of the order to be sent to the Sarpanch of the informant woman's village and said that if the accused fails to fulfill the bail condition, the Mukhiya can approach the court.

Case Title: Unknown