Laws against Women Harassment in Hindi and English

A girl was teased and harassed in Delhi. When FIR was placed with police, the criminals stabbed her to death by knife slashing her 35 times. Now Eve Teasing comes under non-bailable crime. There is no Hindi term coined for “Eve Teasing”. It simply means women’s harassment of any kind. Looking at a woman with bad intentions, teasing, snooping, keeping a watch on them and following them comes under unsocial and illegal activities.

Laws against Women Harassment in Hindi

Mostly we read about news of hidden cameras in malls and hotels which are used illegally to take women’s pictures. In May 2015 in Baghara village of Mujaffarnagar, three women had to jump off a moving bus in order to save their honor as the driver behaved in an inappropriate manner with them. Many complaints are filed regarding eve teasing of women who travel by train. Also men snoop over women from neighboring houses. All these cases come under the criminal act of eve teasing. There have been many riots because of these cases. Honor killing is seen in these cases by groups, where some of these cases are registered but most are sorted out of court.

Now let’s understand Sec 354 under the Indian penal code clearly and in detail. This section is registered under any case of eve teasing and sexual harassment. The case is registered for violating woman’s respect and honor deliberately and knowingly without her consent. The punishment can be from 1 to 5 years of jail and fine. Under section 23 (2) of Indian penal code any crimes coming under it have been made as a non settlement case outside court since 31/12/2009.Before this amendment this crime could be settled outside court with consent of the woman involved who was harassed. After amendment in 2013 of sec 24 (g) this crime has been made non-bailable since 3/2/13.

In last 5 years only 51 cases have been registered under the act of eve teasing at Delhi lower court. Out of which only 5 cases were proved and punishment has been imparted. Due to lack of evidence around 30 criminals were set free. Under the constitutional Para 14, 15 and 21 any kind of teasing and harassment of women is a non bailable crime. Supreme Court gave instructions to the states in 2012 to curb eve teasing which included female police to be posted in public and sensitive areas in normal clothes. The companies and corporations should help the police in safeguarding the honor of women.Schools, colleges, cinema halls, parks and other public places should have proper CCTV cameras installed. If eve teasing happens in public vehicles, then the driver or other concerned need to report it to the nearest police station. All states have been instructed to start female helpline.

#Article Published in Dainik Bhaskar from Nandita Jha, High Court advocate, new Delhi