Indian Penal Code 1860
Section 354 :
Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty:
(See section 74 of BNS 2023)
2.[Classification of Offence:
Offence: Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty.
Punishment : Imprisonment for 1 years which may extend to 5 years and with fine.
Cognizable or Non-cognizable :Cognizable
Bailable or Non-bailable : Non-bailable
Compoundable or Non-compoundable : Non-compoundable.
By Which Court Triable : Any Magistrate. ]
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Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby outrage her modesty, 1.[shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine].
State Amendment :
Madhya Pradesh :
After Section, 354, the following new section shall be inserted, namely :
354 A, 354B, 354C, 354D.
Andhra Pradesh :
For Section 354, IPC the following section shall be substituted, namely, –
“354. Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty :
Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any woman intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby outrage her modesty shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than five years but which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine :
Provided that the Court may, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the Judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment of either description for a term which may be less than five years, but which shall not be less than two years.
[A.P. Act No. 6 of 1991, Section 2 (w.e.f. Ist April, 1991]
Chhattisgarh :
In Section 354 of the Penal Code, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:
Provided that where offence is committed, under this Section by a relative, guardian or teacher or a person in a position of trust or authority towards the person assaulted, he shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than two years but which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine.
[VideChhattisgarhAct 25 of 2015, sec. 3]
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1. Subs. by Act 13 of 2013, s. 6, for “shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both” (w.e.f. 3-2-2013).
2. Subs. by Act 13 of 2013, s. 24, for entry relating to s. 354 (w.e.f. 3-2-2013).