In Varanasi, the accused in the rape and abortion case of a Dalit girl has been granted bail: he is also accused of blackmailing and taking ₹50,000.

The Varanasi District Court has granted bail to the accused, who was imprisoned on charges of rape and forced abortion of a Dalit girl. The court of Special Judge (SC-ST Act) Sarvjit Singh ordered Vinod Shankar alias Vinod Yadav, a resident of Naria Saket Nagar (Lanka), to be released upon furnishing two sureties of one lakh rupees each and a bond. Senior Advocate Anuj Yadav argued on behalf of the defense. The accused is charged with taking 50 thousand rupees as interest.