Section 354C of IPC : Section 354C: Voyeurism

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Ravi, a college student, secretly installs a hidden camera in the women's restroom at his college. He captures videos of women using the restroom without their knowledge. One day, a woman discovers the camera and reports it to the authorities. Ravi is arrested and charged under Section 354C of the Indian Penal Code for voyeurism. Since this is his first conviction, he faces imprisonment for a term of not less than one year, which may extend to three years, and is also liable to a fine.

Example 2:

Suresh, a neighbor, uses his phone to secretly record his neighbor, Priya, while she is changing clothes in her bedroom. Priya had left her window slightly open, but she had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Suresh then shares the video with his friends via a messaging app. Priya finds out about the video and files a complaint. Suresh is charged under Section 354C for both capturing and disseminating the private images. Since this is his first conviction, he faces imprisonment for a term of not less than one year, which may extend to three years, and is also liable to a fine.

Example 3:

Ajay, a photographer, takes consensual intimate photos of his girlfriend, Meera, in a private setting. Meera consents to the photos being taken but explicitly tells Ajay not to share them with anyone. Despite this, Ajay uploads the photos to a social media site without Meera's consent. Meera discovers the photos online and reports Ajay to the police. Ajay is charged under Section 354C for disseminating private images without consent. Since this is his first conviction, he faces imprisonment for a term of not less than one year, which may extend to three years, and is also liable to a fine.

Example 4:

Ramesh, a repeat offender, is caught for the second time secretly recording women in a gym's changing room. The first time he was convicted, he served a one-year sentence. This time, because it is his second conviction, he faces imprisonment for a term of not less than three years, which may extend to seven years, and is also liable to a fine.