The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken cognizance of a distressing incident in which a 21-year-old tribal woman in Rajasthan’s Pratapgarh district suffered molestation and public humiliation as she was forcibly disrobed, with the culprits recording this horrific act.
Shockingly, it is alleged that the incident transpired on 31st August i.e., two days ago, yet the local police have not yet taken cognizance of the matter.
In response to these troubling developments, the Commission has conducted a preliminary assessment and determines that the crime committed falls within the purview of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Information Technology Act, 2000. Specifically, we draw attention to the following statutory provisions:
- Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code: “Assault or use of criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty. – Whoever assaults or employs criminal force against any woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby outrage her modesty, shall be subject to imprisonment, the term of which shall not be less than one year but may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to a fine.”
- Section 66-E of the Information Technology Act: “Punishment for violation of privacy. – Whoever intentionally or knowingly captures, publishes, or transmits the image of a private area of any person without his or her consent, under circumstances violating the privacy of that person, shall be subject to imprisonment, which may extend to three years or a fine not exceeding two lakh rupees, or both.”
The alarming surge in crimes against women in the State of Rajasthan is deeply disconcerting. The audacity of the accused individuals in committing such a heinous crime without fear is indicative of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
The NCW strongly condemns the brutality inflicted upon the woman in the video and calls for the immediate arrest of all those involved. We demand the inclusion of the aforementioned legal provisions in the First Information Report (F.I.R), along with other pertinent sections of the law. Furthermore, we request a comprehensive action taken report to be submitted to the Commission within 5 days by the DGP of Rajasthan.
