P&H High Court: Unwelcome Conversation with Woman, Though Annoying, Not Outraging Her Modesty Under IPC 354

The Punjab & Haryana High Court held that attempting to initiate an unwelcome conversation with a woman, while possibly “annoying,” does not by itself amount to the offence of outraging a woman’s modesty under Section 354 of the IPC. The case facts: the accused approached a woman in Rohtak’s PGIMS library, said “Hey” and tried to converse; she repeatedly declined; he eventually left. No criminal force or assault alleged. The prosecutrix’s own testimony admitted refusal and that the petitioner ceased attempts on refusal. The Court emphasised that absence of force or persistent harassment reduces the act from something that might annoy to something which could shock decency; but here the record did not support the higher standard required for Section 354. Live Law Accordingly, it quashed FIR and all proceedings under Section 354-A and 451 of IPC.