Section 354:
Assault of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty.
Whoever assaults
or uses criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will there by
outrage her modesty, 1
[shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less
than one year but which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine].
STATE AMENDMENT
Chhattisgarh.--
In Section 354 of the Penal Code, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely: --
Provided that where offence is committed, under this Section by a relative, guardian or teacher or a
person in a position of trust or authority towards the person assaulted, he shall be punishable with
imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than two years but which may extend
to seven years and shall also be liable to fine.
[Vide Chhattisgarh Act 25 of 2015, sec. 3]
Notes:
1. Subs. by Act 13 of 2013, s. 6, for "shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or
with fine, or with both" (w.e.f. 3-2-2013).