Supreme Court: Taking Photos or Videos of Woman Not Engaged in Private Acts Won’t Amount to Voyeurism

The Supreme Court observed that taking photographs or videos of a woman without her consent, when she is not engaged in a “private act,” does not amount to voyeurism under Section 354C IPC.

The bench discharged the accused, who was alleged to have intimidated the complainant by clicking her pictures on March 18, 2020.

The Court endorsed the Calcutta High Court’s decision, noting that the essential ingredients of voyeurism were not made out as the complainant was not engaged in any private act. 

The appeal was allowed. 

[Tuhin Kumar Biswas @ Bumba v. State of West Bengal]