IPC Section 294 — Obscene acts and songs

offences affecting the public health, safety, convenience, decency and morals

Criminal

Punishment

Imprisonment up to 3 months, or fine, or both

As the section puts it: “shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both”

Summary

A person who does an obscene act in a public place, or sings or says obscene words in or near a public place, in a way that annoys others, can be punished with up to three months in jail, a fine, or both.

Official Text

Whoever, to the annoyance of others:
does any obscene act in any public place, or
sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both.

Related Judgments

  • 1st Floor, Shankar Lane; Opp. Shankar Mandir, Kandivali (West); Mumbai vs 1., The State of Maharashtra, ], ], 2., Mangesh Arjun Pawar — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2025)
  • INDIAN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION (AHAR) & ANR. vs THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ORS — Supreme Court of India (2019)
  • Manoj P. Shetty; Ameya S. Kajarekar; Krishna B. Desity vs The State of Maharashtra — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2024)
  • N. S. MADHANAGOPAL & ANR. vs K. LALITHA — Supreme Court of India (2022)
  • OM PRAKASH AMBADKAR vs THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ORS — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SHREYA SINGHAL vs UNION OF INDIA — Supreme Court of India (2015)

Old <-> New Code Mapping