IPC Section 354 = BNS Section 74

Assault or Criminal Force to Woman with Intent to Outrage Modesty

स्त्री की लज्जा भंग करने के आशय से उस पर हमला या आपराधिक बल का प्रयोग

Offences Against Women No Change in Punishment Cognizable Non-Bailable Updated: 2026-02-28

Overview

Section 354 of the IPC dealt with assault or use of criminal force on a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty. Under the BNS 2023, this provision is now Section 74. The punishment remains imprisonment of not less than 1 year, extendable to 5 years, and fine.
Hindi IPC की धारा 354 किसी स्त्री की लज्जा भंग करने के आशय से उस पर हमला या आपराधिक बल के प्रयोग से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत, यह प्रावधान अब धारा 74 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 354 Section 74
Title Assault or Criminal Force to Woman with Intent to Outrage Modesty Assault or Criminal Force to Woman with Intent to Outrage Modesty
Punishment Imprisonment not less than 1 year, extendable to 5 years, and fine Imprisonment not less than 1 year, extendable to 5 years, and fine
Cognizable Yes — Police can arrest without warrant
Bailable No — Bail at the discretion of the court
Compoundable No — Cannot be compounded/settled
Triable By Any Magistrate

Key Changes

  • Section number changed from IPC 354 to BNS 74
  • Substantive provisions remain the same
  • Continues to be non-bailable and non-compoundable

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused assaulted or used criminal force on a woman
  2. 2 The act was done with the intent to outrage her modesty
  3. 3 The woman's modesty was actually outraged or the intent to do so existed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 354?

IPC Section 354 is now BNS Section 74 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

What is the minimum punishment under BNS Section 74?

The minimum punishment is imprisonment for 1 year, which may extend to 5 years, along with fine.

Is this offence compoundable?

No. BNS Section 74 (formerly IPC 354) is a non-compoundable and non-bailable offence.

Legal Disclaimer

This IPC-to-BNS section comparison is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. The mapping may not cover all nuances introduced by the new law. Always consult a qualified advocate or legal professional before relying on this information. For more details, see our Disclaimer.

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