Bombay High Court Holds Staring at Colleague’s Chest Does Not Amount to Voyeurism Under IPC

The Bombay High Court held that staring at a woman colleague’s chest, though morally wrong and potentially amounting to workplace misconduct, does not constitute the offence of voyeurism under Section 354C of the IPC.

The Court observed that voyeurism specifically requires watching or capturing a woman engaged in a private act in circumstances where she expects privacy.

In the present case, the allegations were limited to inappropriate staring during office meetings, which does not satisfy the statutory ingredients of the offence.

Accordingly, the Court quashed the FIR, holding that criminal law cannot be stretched beyond its clear wording.

[Abhijit Baswant Nigudkar v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.]