Protection Granted to Females under Indian Constitution and BNSS including BNS (भारतीय संविधान एवं भारतीय नागरिक सुरक्षा संहिता, न्याय संहिता सहित)

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Historically, women have been undergoing socio-economic, educational and political discrimination. Therefore, the Constitutional and legal of India not only protects women from exploitation and discrimination but also promotes social equity and equality for women. State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women for neutralizing the cumulative disadvantages and discrimination faced by them. 

The official statistics show a declining sex-ratio, health status, literacy rate, work participation rate and political participation among women. While on the other hand the spread of social evils like dowry deaths, child marriage, domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment, exploitation of women workers are major issues related to women in India.

Protection Granted under Constitutional Provisions

The Constitution of India not only protects women from exploitation and discrimination but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women. Following are constitutional privileges which are guaranteed to women in India for their empowerment.

Fundamental Rights

Discrimination:

Article Provisions
Article 14 Equality before law
Article 15 The State not to discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.

Article 15 (3): The State to make any special provision in favour of women and children.
Article 16Equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State.

Exploitation:

Article 23Trafficking of human beings and forced labor are prohibited.

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs)

Opportunity:

Article Provisions
Article 39(a) The State to direct its policy towards securing for men and women equally the right to an adequate means of livelihood.
Article 39(d)Equal pay for equal work for both men and women

Health and Education:

Article 9AState to provide free legal aid  by suitable legislation.
Article 42The State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
Article 46The State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the.
Article 47The State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people.

Fundamental Duties

Article 51(A) (e) It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.

Panchayati Raj System (Panchayat and Municipality)

Political Empowerment:  

ArticleProvisions
Article 243 D(3) One-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat shall be reserved for women.
Article 243 D(4)Not less than one- third of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level to be reserved for women.
Article 243-T(3)One-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Municipality shall be reserved for women.
Article 243-T(4)The offices of chairpersons in the Municipalities shall be reserved for women in such manner as the State Legislature may provide.
The Chhattisgarh Panchayat Raj Adhiniyam (1993)
1. One-tenth (1/10th) of the total number of members of the Gram Sabha shall form a quorum for a meeting of Gram Sabha out of which one-third (1/3rd) shall be women members. In Scheduled Areas, according to PESA, the quorum requirement is one-third (1/3rd).

2. Half (1/2nd) of the total number of seats of Sarpanchas, President of Janpad Panchayat and President of Zila Panchayat are reserved for women. In Scheduled Areas, according to PESA, 100 percent seats of Sarpanch are reserved for women.

Protection Granted under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023

Indian Penal Code (IPC) is replaced with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 which criminalizes certain offences derogatory to women and provides for stringent punishment with imprisonment and fine.

IPC SectionNew BNS SectionProvision
Section 376Section 64 Punishment for Rape with rigorous imprisonment of 7 years to life imprisonment and with fine.
Section 69Sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means (false promise of
employment or promotion, or marrying) etc.
Section 228ASection 72Punishment for disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences
Section 354Section 74 Punishment for molestation (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty)
75-Sexual Harassment; 76-Assault; 77- Voyeurism; 78- Stalking
Section 509Section 79 Punishment for sexual harassment (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman)
Section 304BSection 80Punishment for Homicide for Dowry, Dowry Deaths or their attempts
Section 498ASection 85Punishment for cruelty by husband or his relatives
Section 366ASection 96Procuration (induces to go or do any act) of child
Section 372/373Section 98/99 Punishment for selling or buying minor for purposes of prostitution, etc.
Section 306Section 108Abetment to commit suicide by women
Section 307Section 109 Attempt to murder
Section 326 A, BSection 124 (1), (2)Punishment for acid attacks with rigorous imprisonment of 10 years to life imprisonment.
Section 366 BSection 141 punishment for importation of boy*/girl from abroad (boy added)
The Criminal Law Amendment Act (2013): The Nirbhaya Act
The various provisions added or amended in the Indian Penal Code after the Criminal Amendment 2013 are:
1. Zero FIR: Registration of complaint from any police station (for rape victim or relatives)
2. Time does not matter: in cases of rape or molestation, Police cannot refuse to register an FIR even if a considerable period of time has elapsed since the incident.

3. Protection of identity: Identity of a rape victim cannot be revealed. (IPC 228A)
4. Doctor’s Report is not a conclusive proof: Report of the doctor can only act as a proof. Whether the rape has occurred or not is a legal conclusion and doctor cannot decide on this. The only state that can be made by the medical officer is that there is evidence of recent sexual activity.

5. Employers must protect: It is the duty of every employer to create a Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee within the organization for redressal of such complaints. 

6. Acid Attack, stalking and voyeurism also offences: Stalking (following a woman even after her disinterest) (IPC 354D), voyeurism (watching or capturing images of a woman during private acts) (IPC 354C) and Acid Attack (throwing acid on or giving it to her in some way) (IPC 326A) are serious and punishable offences.

Protection Granted under Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023

The Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of India replaced by Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 lays down the laws and procedures for the investigation, prosecution, and trial of criminal offenses. Though it is not possible to remember various Sections of BNSS, some important Sections which are related to a common man should be kept in mind. Also, the chapter wise details are given here to understand the flow of the law.

ChaptersProvisionSections
Chapter IPriliminarySec 1 – 5
Chapter IIConstitution of Criminal Courts and OfficesSec 6 – 25
Chapter IIIPower of CourtsSec 26 – 35
Chapter IVA- Powers of Superior Officers of Police
B- Aid to the Magistrates and the Police
Sec 36
Sec 37 – 40
Chapter VArrest of PersonsSec 41 – 60
Chapter VIProcesses to Compel AppearanceSec 61 – 90
Chapter VIIProcesses to Compel the Production of ThingsSec 91 – 105
Chapter VIIISecurity for Keeping the Peace and for Good BehaviourSec 106 – 124
Chapter IXOrder for Maintenance of Wives, Children and ParentsSec 125 – 128
Chapter XMaintenance of Public Order and TranquilitySec 129 – 148
Chapter XIPreventive Action of the PoliceSec 149 – 153
Chapter XIIInformation to the Police and their Powers to InvestigateSec 154 – 176
Chapter XIIIJurisdiction of the Criminal Courts in Inquiries and TrialsSec 177 – 189
Chapter XIVConditions Requisite for Initiation of ProceedingsSec 190 – 199
Chapter XVComplaints to MagistratesSec 200 – 203
Chapter XVICommencement of Proceedings before MagistratesSec 204 – 210
Chapter XVIIThe ChargeSec 211 – 224
Chapter XVIIITrial Before a Court of SessionSec 225 – 237
Chapter XIXTrial of Warrant-Cases by MagistratesSec 238 – 250
Chapter XXTrial of Summons-Cases by MagistratesSec 251 – 259
Chapter XXISummary TrialsSec 260 – 265
Chapter XXIIAttendance of Persons Confined or Detained in PrisonsSec 266 – 271
Chapter XXIIIEvidence in Inquiries and TrialsSec 272 – 299
Chapter XXIVGeneral Provisions as to Inquiries and TrialsSec 300 – 327
Chapter XXVProvisions as to Accused Persons of Unsound MindSec 328 – 339
Chapter XXVIProvisions as to Offences affecting the Administration of JusticeSec 340 – 352
Chapter XXVIIThe JudgmentSec 353 – 365
Chapter XXVIIISubmission of Death Sentences for ConfirmationSec 366 – 371
Chapter XXIXAppealsSec 372 – 394
Till
CHAPTER XXXVII
Many more provisionsTill Sec 484

Some important sections of the CrPC include:

CrPC SectionNew BNSS SectionProvision
Section 46(4) Section 43(5)No arrests (of a woman) after sunset (arrest in exceptional circumstances with prior permission from a Judicial Magistrate)
Section 47Section 44Search of place entered by person sought to be arrested.
Section 51(2) Section 49(2)Search by a woman personnel only
Section 53(2)Section 51(2) Medical Examination by a female practitioner
Section 55Section 55 Procedure when police officer deputes subordinate to arrest without warrant (written orders from him, specifying the offence is required)
Section 57Section 58Person arrested not to be detained more than twenty-four hours.
Section 129Section 148 Dispersal of Assembly by use of civil force (by Executive Magistrate or office in charge of a police station
Section 149: Use of armed forces to dispersal of Assembly (by Executive Magistrate of highest rank present)
Section 132Section 151 Protection against prosecution for acts done under Section 148 and 149. (Prior sanction required from State or Central Government)
Section 145Section 164 Procedure where dispute concerning land or water is likely to cause breach of peace.
Section 151Section 170 Arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences.
Section 154Section 173Registration of FIR (First Information Report) by the police (zero FIR included now)
Section 160Section 179 Police officer’s power to require attendance of witnesses. However, for woman or old aged (60 years) it should be at a place where she or he resides.
Section 161Section 180 The power of the police to examine witnesses during the investigation.
Section 164Section 183The recording of confessions and statements by a Magistrate.
Section 164A Section 184 Medical examination of the victim of rape.
Section 167Section 187Procedure for obtaining police remand for custody of the accused.
Section 169Section The release of the accused when evidence is deficient.
Section 170Section The procedure for the examination of the accused by the police.
Section 173Section The police report to be submitted to the Magistrate in the course of an investigation.
Section 174: Police to inquire and report on suicides especially Dowry Deaths
Section 177Section The jurisdiction of the court in which an offense is committed.
Section 200Section Examination of complainant by a Magistrate.
Section 228Section Under no circumstances can the identity of a rape victim be revealed.
Section 311Section The power of the court to summon material witnesses or examine persons present in court.
Section 313Section This section deals with the examination of the accused by the court.
Section 323Section The power of the court to award compensation to the victim.
Section 401Section The powers of the High Court and the Court of Session to transfer cases.
Section 439Section The power of the High Court or the Court of Session to grant bail.
Section 509Section Punishment for sexual harassment (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman)

Other Legal Rights for Women

The following various legislations contain several rights and safeguards for women:

Exploitation:

Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (1956)1. It is the premier legislation for prevention of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
2. It prevents trafficking in women and girls for the purpose of prostitution as an organized means of living.
Mines Act (1952) and Factories Act (1948)They prohibit the employment of women between 7 PM to 6 AM in mines and factories and provides for their safety and welfare.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 20121. It provides a robust legal framework for the protection of children (boys and girls) from any kind of sexual abuses.
2. It provides for speedy trial of offences through designated Special Courts.
3. Child Welfare Committee (CWC): has the authority to dispose of cases for the care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation of children.

Violence:

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005)1. It is a comprehensive legislation to protect women in India from all forms of domestic violence.
2. It also covers women who have been/are in a relationship with the abuser and are subjected to violence of any kind—physical, sexual, mental, verbal or emotional.
Dowry Prohibition Act (1961)It prohibits the giving or taking of dowry at or before or any time after the marriage from women.
Child Marriage Restrain Act (1976)It raises the age for marriage of a girl to 18 years from 15 years and that of a boy to 21 years.

Modesty:

Indecent Representation
of Women (Prohibition)
Act (1986)
It prohibits indecent representation of women through advertisements or in publications, writings, paintings, figures or in any other manner.
Sexual Harassment
of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition
and Redressal) Act (2013)
It provides protection to women from sexual harassment at all workplaces both in public and private sector, whether organized or unorganized.

Health:

Medical Termination
of Pregnancy Act (1971)
It provides for the termination of certain pregnancies by registered medical practitioners on humanitarian and medical grounds.
Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection)
Act (1994)
It prohibits sex selection before or after conception and prevents the misuse of pre-natal diagnostic techniques for sex determination leading to female foeticide.
Maternity Benefit Act (1961)It regulates the employment of women in certain establishments for certain period before and after childbirth and provides for maternity benefit and certain other benefits.

Equality:

Equal Remuneration Act (1976) 1. It provides for payment of equal remuneration to both men and women workers for same work or work of a similar nature.
2. It also prevents discrimination on the ground of sex, against women in recruitment and service conditions.
Minimum Wages Act (1948)It does not allow discrimination between male and female workers or different minimum wages for them.

Justice and Legal Aid:

Family Courts Act (1984) It provides for the establishment of Family Courts for speedy settlement of family disputes.
Legal Services Authorities Act (1987)It provides for free legal services to Indian women.
National Commission for Women Act (1990)It provided for the establishment of a National Commission for Women to study and monitor all matters relating to the constitutional and legal rights and safeguards of women.

Author: admin