BNS Section 74: Assault or Criminal Force Against Woman
Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 is titled “Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty.”
What does Section 74 provide?
The section applies where a person assaults or uses criminal force against a woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that the act will outrage her modesty. The punishment is imprisonment of either description for not less than one year and up to five years, along with fine. citeturn0search3turn0search24
What evidence may be relevant?
Depending on the case, evidence may include witness statements, CCTV footage, photographs, medical records, messages, call records and other material establishing the incident and circumstances.
Related provisions
The BNS separately addresses sexual harassment in Section 75, assault or criminal force with intent to disrobe in Section 76, voyeurism in Section 77 and stalking in Section 78. citeturn0search10
SPG Legal Consultancy can assist with case-specific legal assessment and complaint preparation.
Need Legal Assistance?
If you or someone you know has experienced molestation, assault, sexual harassment or another offence against a woman, consider taking prompt case-specific legal advice. SPG Legal Consultancy can assist with legal assessment, complaint preparation and criminal-law guidance.
Legal disclaimer: This content is for general information and is not a substitute for case-specific legal advice. The applicability of any law depends on the facts and evidence. No particular FIR registration, arrest, investigation result or court outcome can be guaranteed.