National Commission for Women Addresses Disturbing Incident in Pratapgarh, Rajasthan

The NCW has been made aware of a distressing incident through a Twitter post, in which a woman in Rajasthan’s Pratapgarh district was subjected to molestation and public humiliation as she was forcibly stripped, with the perpetrators recording this horrendous act. Shockingly, it is alleged that this incident occurred two days ago, yet the local police have not taken cognisance of the matter.

In response to these troubling developments, the Commission has conducted a preliminary assessment and finds 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 provisions:

Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code:
“Assault of criminal force to a 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 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 punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years or with a fine not exceeding two lakh rupees, or with both.”

The alarming rise 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 vehemently 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 relevant sections of the law. Furthermore, we request a comprehensive action taken report to be submitted to the Commission within 5 days from the DGP of Rajasthan.