In cases where the accused molests or insults the modesty of a woman by way of obscene acts or by means of words, gesture, or acts that are intended to insult the modesty and dignity of a woman, he shall be punished under the following sections.

Under Sec.294 the obscene act must cause annoyance. The annoyance should be done in a public place and cause mental harassment.

Section.509 of IPC, comes into effect when there is an intention to insult the modesty of any woman by the offender by uttering any word, making any sound or gesture or by exhibiting any object, with the intention that such word or such sound be heard, or that such gesture or object be seen by such a woman, or by intruding upon the privacy of such a woman.

Section 354 of the IPC considers the assault or criminal force to woman with the intention to outrage her modesty. This offense is considered less serious than Rape.

Punishment: Upto two years imprisonment or a fine or both.

Section 323 punishes anyone causing voluntarily hurt(non cognizable)

Punishment: Upto one year or Rs. 1000 or both.

The Criminal Law Amendment Act has substantially changed Sections.375 and 376 of the IPC. Several new sections have been introduced therein- viz.

Section. 376(A) punishes sexual intercourse with wife without her consent by a judicially separated husband.

Section. 376(B) punishes for sexual intercourse by a public servant with a woman in custody.

Section. 376(C) punishes sexual intercourse by superintendent of jail, remand house, etc. whereas

Section. 376(D) punishes sexual intercourse by any member of the management or staff of a hospital with any woman in that hospital.

Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury, who held a meeting with officials from the National Commission for Women and a group of lawyers said

“The laws are being examined with an aim to ensure that they are implemented properly,” she said.

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