Parliament Parliament of India
Bill adds digital media to indecent representation of women law
This Bill amends the 1986 Act to expand the definition of prohibited material to include digital and electronic media, such as the internet and satellite transmission.
It also increases the penalties for violations to act as a stronger deterrent.
Who it concerns: Any person who publishes or distributes material containing indecent representation of women, as well as police officers and government officials authorized to investigate and seize such material.
What the bill does
- Redefined 'advertisement' to include audio or visual representations made via light, laser, sound, smoke, gas, or electric form.
- Added definition for 'electronic form' referencing the Information Technology Act, 2000.
- Expanded 'distribution' to include making material available via broadcast, transmission, or uploading on websites.
- Broadened 'indecent representation of women' to include material depicting women as sexual objects or appealing to prurient interests.
- Added definitions for 'material' (including digital content) and 'publish' (including digital formats and broadcasting).
- Prohibited the publication or distribution of any material containing indecent representation of women in any form, with specific exceptions for scientific, literary, artistic, religious, or ancient monument contexts.
- Authorized police officers not below the rank of Inspector to investigate offenses and seize material, overriding the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
- Increased penalties for first conviction to up to three years imprisonment and a fine between 50,000 and 1,00,000 rupees.
- Increased penalties for second or subsequent convictions to 2-7 years imprisonment and a fine between 1,00,000 and 5,00,000 rupees.
- Deemed authorized officers to be public servants under the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Also in the document
- The Bill explicitly states that its provisions are in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other law for the time being in force.
- The Statement of Objects and Reasons cites National Crimes Records Bureau data showing 845, 895, and 453 cases of violation in 2009, 2010, and 2011 respectively as a reason for stricter penalties.
Where this bill is now: Withdrawn
How this was written
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The original document
Parliament of India — Bills (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha)
Bill / law · Ref. LXX · 13 Dec 2012
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