Insulting the modesty of a woman
(Section 509 of the I.P.C)

What is it?

A person commits the offence of insulting the modesty of a woman when he

• Utters any words
• Makes any sounds or gestures
• Exhibits any object
• With the intention that the same be seen/heard by a woman
• Intrudes upon the privacy of a woman

With the intention of insulting the modesty of the woman

For Example- writing letters making indecent overtures, making obscene gestures, exhibiting pornographic material, singing vulgar/suggestive songs, exposing one's nude body, entering the private apartment of a woman and making obscene gestures.

Punishment

Imprisonment upto 1year/fine/or both. The offence of outraging the modesty of a woman id cognizable, bailable and compoundable- by the woman whose modesty was insulted.

Triable by:

Metropolitan Magistrate/Judicial Magistrate First Class/Judicial Magistrate second class

Who can file a F.I.R.?

Anyone can file a F.I.R in the police station.

What has to be proved in the court?

Two things have to be proved:

• Action- that the accused has uttered any words, made any gestures, exhibited any object, with the intention that the same has been seen/heard by the woman.
• Intention-that the act was done with the intention of insulting the modesty of the woman.