Mere Workplace Harassment Doesn’t Mean Outraging Modesty: Calcutta High Court Quashes Case

The Calcutta High Court ruled that mere harassment or abuse at the workplace does not automatically attract the offence of outraging a woman’s modesty under Section 509 of the IPC.

Justice Dr. Kurnr observed that neither the FIR nor the statements recorded detailed any act, gesture, word, or sound meant to insult the complainant’s modesty.

The Court emphasised that intent to outrage modesty must be clearly alleged and supported by specifics, which were lacking here. The case was quashed, noting the internal complaints committee had also earlier exonerated the accused.