IPC Section 354C — Voyeurism

criminal force and assault

Criminal

Punishment

Imprisonment 1 year–3 years and fine

As the section puts it: “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”

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.

Referred to by

Related Judgments

  • Mayur Manoj Mulik and Ors vs State of Maharashtra & Ors — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2023)
  • IN RE: GANG RAPE ON ORDERS OF COMMUNITY PANCHAYAT vs IN RE: GANG RAPE ON ORDERS OF COMMUNITY PANCHAYAT — Supreme Court of India (2014)
  • MOHAMMAD AFZAL MOHAMMAD SHARIF vs THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SUNEETI TOTEJA vs STATE OF U.P. & ANOTHER — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • S. K. MIGLANI vs STATE NCT OF DELHI — Supreme Court of India (2019)
  • DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT vs BIBHU PRASAD ACHARYA, ETC — Supreme Court of India (2024)

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