Obscene acts and songs
Full Text
Whoever, to the annoyance of others,—
(a) does any obscene act in any public place; or
(b) sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place,
shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Plain English Summary
Criminalizes doing any obscene act or singing, reciting, or uttering obscene songs/words in or near a public place if it causes annoyance to others.
Key Legal Elements
- Doing an obscene act, or singing/reciting/uttering an obscene song, ballad, or words
- The act or song is performed in a public place or near a public place
- The act is done to the annoyance of others
Punishment
Imprisonment up to 3 months, or fine up to ₹1,000, or both
Practical Note
Commonly registered in cases of public nuisance involving vulgar gestures, playing obscene songs loudly in public transit, or verbal harassment in public spaces. The prosecution must prove that the act caused actual annoyance to others.
हिंदी पाठ
जो कोई, दूसरों को क्षोभ पहुंचाने के लिए,—
(क) किसी सार्वजनिक स्थान में कोई अश्लील कार्य करेगा; अथवा
(ख) किसी सार्वजनिक स्थान में या उसके समीप कोई अश्लील गाना, काव्य-गीत या शब्द गाएगा, सस्वर पढ़ेगा या उच्चारित करेगा,
वह दोनों में से किसी भांति के कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि तीन मास तक की हो सकेगी, या जुर्माने से, जो एक हजार रुपये तक का हो सकेगा, या दोनों से, दण्डित किया जाएगा।