Section 354 IPC: Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 354 IPC at a Glance

Section 354 IPC deals with assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 74 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to five years.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ
BNS Equivalent

Section 74 →

Section 354 IPC Bare Act Text

354. Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty

Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby outrage her modesty, 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.

Source: Section 354, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 354 IPC in Simple Words

Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes assault or using criminal force to any woman with the intention of outraging her modesty, or knowing it to be likely that such act will outrage her modesty.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to five years, and the offender is also liable to fine.

The offence is cognizable, non-bailable, triable by any Magistrate, and not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Ingredients of Section 354 IPC

  • The person subjected to the act was a woman
  • The accused committed an assault or used criminal force against that woman
  • The act was committed intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he would thereby outrage her modesty

Punishment Under Section 354 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to five years.

Fine

The offender shall also be liable to fine.

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty is punishable with imprisonment of either description for not less than one year and up to five years, and the offender is also liable to fine.

Example of Section 354 IPC

In October 2019, at a vegetable market in Coimbatore, Manoj walked up behind Kavita while she was selecting produce at a stall. Intending to outrage her modesty, Manoj suddenly grabbed Kavita around her waist and pressed himself against her without her consent. Kavita shouted in alarm and pushed him away as nearby shopkeepers stepped in. By forcibly grabbing Kavita without her consent, Manoj intentionally used criminal force against a woman while intending to outrage her modesty and knowing that his conduct was likely to do so. Manoj is punishable under Section 354 IPC.

When Section 354 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 354 IPC does not apply when the person against whom assault or criminal force is used is not a woman.
  • Section 354 IPC does not apply when the accused neither commits an assault nor uses any criminal force against the woman.
  • Section 354 IPC does not apply when the act is committed without any intention to outrage the woman's modesty and without knowledge that it is likely to outrage her modesty.

Section 354 IPC in the BNS

Section 354 IPC is now covered under Section 74 BNS.

Section 354 IPC corresponds to Section 74 BNS. The offence, the required intention or knowledge to outrage modesty, and the punishment of imprisonment for a term of not less than one year extending up to five years with liability to fine remain unchanged in substance across both enactments.

View detailed comparison (IPC 354 vs BNS 74) →

FAQs on Section 354 IPC

What does Section 354 IPC punish?▼

Section 354 IPC punishes whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby outrage her modesty.

What is the punishment prescribed under Section 354 IPC?▼

Under Section 354 IPC, the prescribed sentence is imprisonment of either description for not less than one year extending up to five years, along with liability to fine.

Is there a minimum imprisonment under Section 354 IPC?▼

Yes. The section prescribes a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than one year, extendable up to five years.

Can an accused be punished with fine alone under Section 354 IPC?▼

No. Imprisonment for at least one year is mandatory, and the offender is liable to fine in addition to imprisonment, not as an alternative.

Is an offence under Section 354 IPC cognizable and bailable?▼

An offence under Section 354 IPC is cognizable and non-bailable under the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Which court is competent to try Section 354 IPC?▼

An offence under Section 354 IPC is triable by any Magistrate.

Can Section 354 IPC be compounded by the parties?▼

No. Section 354 IPC is not listed in Section 320 CrPC and cannot be compounded.

What is the corresponding provision for Section 354 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 354 IPC corresponds to Section 74 BNS, which retains the same minimum punishment of one year, five-year maximum, and liability to fine.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 17 Oct 2026 ·