BNS Section 79 — Word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman

Summary

A person who insults a woman's modesty by speaking words or making sounds meant to be heard by her, or by making gestures or showing objects meant to be seen by her, or by intruding on her privacy, commits an offence. The punishment for this is simple imprisonment for up to three years, along with a fine.

Official Text

Whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any words, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object in any form, intending that such word or sound shall be heard, or that such gesture or object shall be seen, by such woman, or intrudes upon the privacy of such woman, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and also with fine.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• UDE SINGH & ORS v. STATE OF HARYANA — Supreme Court of India (2019)
• SC (2025) Vol.2 p.187 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• S.C.R. 174 THE DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE & ANR v. S. SAMUTHIRAM — Supreme Court of India (2012)
• S.C.R. 322 S. KHUSHBOO v. KANNIAMMAL AND ANR — Supreme Court of India (2010)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §509 — Word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman