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 modesty, 1 [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].
In simpler terms if someone hurts any woman by assaulting her or by using criminal force intending to disrespect/shame her (outraging her modesty), shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year and could be extended up to five years along with fine.
Essential Ingredients:
- Assault/ Criminal Force: The accused must have assaulted or used criminal forced against the woman.
- Intent: There must be clear intent of the accused to outrage woman’s modesty.
- Outrage Modesty: This is the key element of this section. Accused must deliberately degrade victim’s modesty.
Punishment
- Imprisonment for 1- 5 years and Fine