🔹 IPC Section 354 – Assault or Criminal Force to Woman (Sexual Harassment)
🔹Short Note (Hindi):
Agar koi aadmi kisi mahila ke saath zabardasti karta hai, use galat niyat se chhuta hai ya uski izzat ko hurt karta hai — toh ye IPC Section 354 ke tahat crime hai. Ye kanoon mahilao ki suraksha ke liye banaya gaya hai.
🔹Full Description (English + Hindi):
🔹 Meaning of Section 354:
This section punishes any man who uses criminal force or assaults a woman intending to outrage her modesty.
In simple words — if a man touches, harasses, or behaves in a way that violates a woman’s dignity or modesty, it is a punishable offence under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code.
🔹Main Elements:
- Assault or use of criminal force must be there.
- The victim must be a woman.
- The intention or knowledge of the accused should be to outrage the modesty of that woman.
🔹Explanation (Simple Hindi):
Yani agar koi aadmi bina marzi ke kisi aurat ko chhuta hai, uske kapde khinchta hai, uski photo ya video galat niyat se banata hai, ya uske saath badtameezi karta hai — toh ye Section 354 ke tahat ek gambhir jurm (serious crime) hai.
🔹Punishment :
🔹Minimum: 1 year imprisonment
🔹Maximum: 5 years imprisonment
🔹Fine: Can also be imposed by the court
(It is a cognizable, non-bailable offence – means police can arrest without warrant.)
🔹Example (Simple & Realistic):
Riya was walking home from college when a man on a bike stopped and tried to touch her inappropriately. She shouted for help, and people caught him. The police charged him under IPC Section 354 for using criminal force with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty.
🔹Sub-Sections Related to 354:
- 354A: Sexual harassment (comments, gestures, physical contact)
- 354B: Assault to disrobe a woman
- 354C: Voyeurism (watching or recording a woman’s private act)
- 354D: Stalking (following or contacting a woman repeatedly)
🔹Legal Awareness (Nyay Neeti View):
Section 354 aur uske sub-sections mahilao ki dignity aur safety ko protect karte hain. Har mahila ko ye haq hai ki wo apne upar hue harassment ke against FIR file kare.
Police ko complaint lena zaroori hai — refusal illegal hai.
🔹Nyay Neeti Advice:
Agar aap ya aapki jaan-pehchaan me kisi ke saath aisa hua hai, turant:
📞 Call 112 (Women Helpline)
📞 File complaint at nearest police station
🌐 Or visit cybercrime.gov.in if incident happened online.
