BNS §79
Word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman
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Comparison
509. Word, gesture or act intended to insult the 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, 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, 1[shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and also with fine].
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.
What changedAI-inferred
IPC 509 modified by BNS 79: imprisonment ceiling 1 year to 3 years; fine becomes mandatory cumulative. Cross-chapter relocation Ch XXII to Ch V.
Old position
IPC 509 is concerned with Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman. Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman
New position
BNS 79 modifies the framework. Topic: 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
BNS 79 modifies IPC 509. IPC 509 modified by BNS 79: imprisonment ceiling 1 year to 3 years; fine becomes mandatory cumulative. Cross-chapter relocation Ch XXII to Ch V. BNS 79 text: Whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any words, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
What is preserved: Mens rea (intending to insult the modesty of any woman), actus reus enumerations (utters any words, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object, intrudes upon the privacy of such woman), audience requirement (intending that such word or sound shall be heard, or that such gesture or object shall be seen, by such woman), and punishment ladder (simple imprisonment up to 3 years + fine) are all preserved verbatim.
What changed: The phrase exhibits any object is widened to exhibits any object in any form. The addition appears intended to capture digital/electronic object-exhibition explicitly.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 509 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 79 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward unaffected.
Frequently asked
BNS 79 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman). The relationship is classified as modified — see the change-note above for the textual delta.
Sources
- India Code — Indian Penal Code, 1860
- Gazette of India — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Cite this page
Newlaws.in, IPC §509 → BNS §79 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-12, https://newlaws.in/bns/79.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
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