The High Court of Karnataka has stated that any inappropriate statement or gesture made against a woman, whether through gestures, writing, or speaking, is a serious insult to her modesty. The court highlighted that such actions can cause more psychological pain than physical harm. While physical harm to a woman is a different offense, invading her privacy and personal integrity causes significant psychological trauma, often more painful than physical injuries as it scars the soul, the court observed.
These remarks were made by Justice M. Nagaprasanna while rejecting a plea to dismiss a chargesheet against a man who had written a woman’s phone number on the wall of a public men’s washroom near the Kempegowda Majestic bus stand, labeling her as a ‘call girl’. Following this, the woman received numerous calls from strangers.
The court emphasized, Sexual violence against a woman is not only dehumanizing but also a severe breach of privacy, which is completely unlawful. Such acts leave women traumatized, and therefore, must be dealt with sternly.
In today’s digital age, the court noted that physical harm is not necessary to insult a woman’s modesty. Circulating derogatory statements, pictures, or videos on social media can also cause severe harm.
The victim, a junior health assistant at a public health center in Chitradurga district, began receiving calls from unknown men between January and February 2020. After investigating, she discovered her number written on a public toilet wall in Bengaluru. Suspecting a colleague, she reported the matter to the police. The investigation revealed that Allah Baksh, 38, had written her number on the wall following a request from a female colleague who wanted to teach her a lesson due to professional rivalry.
