IPC Section 354C — Voyeurism

Summary

A man who watches or records a woman doing something private, in a situation where she would normally expect not to be seen by him or by anyone else at his request, or who shares such a recording, can be punished. For a first offence, the punishment is jail for at least one year and up to three years, plus a fine. For a second or later offence, the jail term is at least three years and up to seven years, plus a fine.

Official Text

Any man who watches, or captures the image of a woman engaging in a private act in circumstances where she would usually have the expectation of not being observed either by the perpetrator or by any other person at the behest of the perpetrator or disseminates such image1 shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than one year, but which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine, and be punished on a second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than three years, but which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.12 p.258 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• INDEPENDENT THOUGHT v. UNION OF INDIA & ANR. 835 — Supreme Court of India (2017)
• SC (2014) Vol.4 p.264 — Supreme Court of India (2014)
• SC (2024) Vol.2 p.111 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.490 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• LALITA KUMARI v. GOVT. OF U.P — Supreme Court of India (2013)
• ... Appellant/Accused vs State rep. By, — Madras High Court (2017)
• MANORAMA TIWARI AND OTHERS v. SURENDRANATH RAI — Supreme Court of India (2015)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• BNS §77 — Voyeurism