Must share: Everyone should know that strict legal provisions exist if someone is using private pictures of another to harass them in any manner. Additionally, it could destroy the life of the perpetrator by creating a permanent criminal record that may make them ineligible for jobs/passports, etc.
1. IT Act, 2000
Section 66E (Violation of Privacy): Capturing, publishing, or transmitting private images of a person without consent is punishable with up to 3 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to ₹2 lakh.
Section 67 (Obscene Content): Publishing or transmitting obscene material electronically is punishable with up to 3 years imprisonment and a ₹5 lakh fine (5 years imprisonment and ₹10 lakh fine for repeat)
Section 67A (Sexually Explicit Content): Publishing or transmitting sexually explicit content is punishable with up to 5 years imprisonment and ₹10 lakh fine (7 years imprisonment and ₹10 lakh fine for repeat)
2. Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860
Section 354C (Voyeurism): Watching or capturing images of a woman engaging in a private act without her consent is punishable with 1-3 years imprisonment (3-7 for subsequent)
Section 292 (Obscene Material): Possessing or distributing obscene images is punishable with up to 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine (5 years for subsequent)
Section 509 (Outraging Modesty of a Woman): Any act that insults the modesty of a woman, including possessing her private images, can lead to up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine.
Section 503 & 506 (Criminal Intimidation & Threats): Threatening to release private images to harass or blackmail someone can lead to up to 2 years imprisonment or more, depending on severity.
3. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 (For Minors)
Section 14 & 15: Possessing, distributing, or storing any sexually explicit image or video of a minor is punishable with up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine (7 for subsequent)
Victims can file complaints with cybercrime cells or at (www.cybercrime.gov.in).
Courts have power to direct platforms to remove content.
