Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
BNS Section 79
Word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman
In one line
BNS Section 79 deals with word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman and replaces IPC 509.
Punishment, bail and court
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79 | Uttering any word or making any gesture intended to insult the modesty of a woman, etc. | Simple imprisonment for 3 years and fine. | Cognizable. | Bailable. | Any Magistrate. |
Source: First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The punishment column is the Schedule’s summary; the section text below is what prescribes the punishment. Classification decides procedure (arrest, bail as of right, which court), not the result of any particular case.
Bare act text — BNS 79
79. Word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman.
Whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any words, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object in any form, intending that such word or sound shall be heard, or that such gesture or object shall be seen, by such woman, or intrudes upon the privacy of such woman, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and also with fine.
Frequently asked
What was BNS Section 79 in the IPC?
BNS Section 79 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman) replaces Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. IPC 509 is now BNS 79.
What is the punishment under BNS 79?
Uttering any word or making any gesture intended to insult the modesty of a woman, etc – punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and also with fine. Under the First Schedule to the BNSS, 2023 it is cognizable and bailable, triable by any Magistrate.
Is BNS 79 bailable?
Bailable: BNS 79. Bail in a non-bailable offence is at the court's discretion; the classification decides procedure, not the outcome of a particular bail application.
Still citing the IPC? Convert any old section in seconds, or keep the whole case — dates, clients and sections — in one diary.
Nearby BNS sections
- BNS 74 — Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty
- BNS 75 — Sexual harassment
- BNS 76 — Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe
- BNS 77 — Voyeurism
- BNS 78 — Stalking
- BNS 80 — Dowry death
- BNS 81 — Cohabitation caused by man deceitfully inducing belief of lawful marriage
- BNS 82 — Marrying again during lifetime of husband or wife
- BNS 83 — Marriage ceremony fraudulently gone through without lawful marriage
- BNS 84 — Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent a married woman