IPC Section 354 — Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty

Summary

If a person attacks or uses physical force against a woman with the intention of outraging her modesty, or knowing that his actions are likely to do so, he commits an offence. The punishment for this offence is imprisonment for at least one year and up to five years, along with a possible fine.

Official Text

Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will there by outrage her modesty1, 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.

Referred to by

• CrPC §154 — Information in cognizable cases
• CrPC §161 — Examination of witnesses by police
• IPC §166A — Public Servant disobeying direction under Law

Related Judgments

• STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH vs BABLU — Supreme Court of India (2014)
• ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR INDIA vs SATISH AND ANOTHER — Supreme Court of India (2021)
• Sanjay Pandurang Singhan; ... vs The State of Maharashtra and Anr., …, Mr. Viral Rathod with Ms. Shivan — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2025)
• PREMIYA @ PREM PRAKASH vs STATE OF RAJASTHAN — Supreme Court of India (2008)
• S.P.S. RATHORE vs C.B.I. & ANR — Supreme Court of India (2016)
• SHEKARA vs STATE OF KARNATAKA — Supreme Court of India (2009)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNS §74 — Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty