IPC Section 509 = BNS Section 79

Word, Gesture or Act Intended to Insult the Modesty of a Woman

स्त्री की लज्जा का अनादर करने के आशय से शब्द, इशारा या कार्य

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

Overview

Section 509 of the IPC dealt with words, gestures, or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman, including intruding upon her privacy. Under the BNS 2023, this is now Section 79. The punishment remains simple imprisonment up to 3 years and fine.
Hindi IPC की धारा 509 किसी स्त्री की लज्जा का अनादर करने के आशय से शब्द, इशारा या कार्य से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत, यह अब धारा 79 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 509 Section 79
Title Word, Gesture or Act Intended to Insult the Modesty of a Woman Word, Gesture or Act Intended to Insult the Modesty of a Woman
Punishment Simple imprisonment up to 3 years and fine Simple imprisonment up to 3 years and fine
Cognizable Yes — Police can arrest without warrant
Bailable Yes — Bail is a matter of right
Compoundable No — Cannot be compounded/settled
Triable By Any Magistrate

Key Changes

  • Section number changed from IPC 509 to BNS 79
  • Punishment and scope remain the same
  • No substantive changes

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused uttered a word, made a gesture, or exhibited any object or intruded upon the privacy of a woman
  2. 2 The act was intended to insult the modesty of the woman
  3. 3 The word/gesture/act was directed at or in the presence of the woman

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 509?

IPC Section 509 (Insulting Modesty of Woman) is now BNS Section 79 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

What is the punishment under BNS Section 79?

Simple imprisonment up to 3 years and fine. This is the same as under IPC Section 509.

Is this offence bailable?

Yes. BNS Section 79 (formerly IPC 509) is a bailable offence.

Reviewed by Vakeel360 Legal Team · Last updated: 2026-02-28 · This article is verified against the official Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 as published in the Gazette of India.

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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