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.

Referred to by

• BNS §199 — Public servant disobeying direction under law
• BNSS §173 — Information in cognizable cases
• BNSS §180 — Examination of witnesses by police

Related Judgments

• IMRAN PRATAPGADHI vs STATE OF GUJARAT AND ANR — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• Ratnadeep Ram Patil vs The State of Maharashtra & Ors., .., …, Mr.Manoj Mohite, Senior Advoca — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2024)
• ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2932 OF 2024; Amol Mahadev Bhaskar vs The State of Maharashtra, …, Mr. Rishikesh Mohite a/w. Mr. Sarthak She — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2024)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

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