Section 354-355

Section 354 addresses words, sounds, gestures, and intrusions intended to insult a woman's modesty — a provision that captures street harassment, catcalling, lewd gestures, and non-contact forms of sexual harassment. This is a broader provision than the physical assault in Section 148 (outraging modesty) — Section 354 reaches verbal and visual harassment that falls short of physical contact. The 'intending to insult modesty' element is subjective but courts adopt an objective standard — would a reasonable woman feel her modesty was outraged by the act? The provision now explicitly includes 'intruding upon the privacy of a woman' — covering peeping, eavesdropping on private conversations, and intrusive surveillance of a woman in her private space. The maximum sentence of 3 years reflects the seriousness with which the BNS treats sexual harassment in all its forms. Section 355 — public drunkenness causing annoyance — is at the other end of the severity spectrum. It is a minor public order provision, carrying a maximum of 24 hours' imprisonment or a small fine. It addresses the common urban problem of intoxicated persons creating public disturbances, blocking footpaths, or behaving offensively in public spaces.