Merely Trying to Initiate Conversation with women Alone Does Not Amount to Outraging Modesty : P&H High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that merely attempting to initiate an unwelcome conversation with a woman, though "annoying," does not constitute the criminal offence of outraging her modesty under Section 354 of the IPC.

Justice Kirti Singh observed that the prosecutrix herself admitted that the petitioner only tried to talk to her once and left when she refused. With no criminal force alleged or used, the Court found the ingredients of Section 354 not made out even prima facie.

Hence, continuation of criminal proceedings would be an abuse of process. The FIR and related proceedings filed under Sections 354-A and 451 IPC were quashed.