TN governor okays Bill for giving stringent punishment in women harassment cases

CHENNAI: Governor R N Ravi has given assent to the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women (Amendment) Bill, passed by the assembly recently to enhance the punishments for harassment of women. Ravi reserved the Criminal Laws (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Bill to amend the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in its application to Tamil Nadu, for the consideration of the President.

A senior official told TOI, “The state govt received the communication about the assent for the bill on Wednesday and gazetted it the same day.”

The Act brought different types of harassment inflicted on women, including those through digital and electronic means, within the ambit of the legislation. Punishment for harassment of women includes imprisonment up to five years and a minimum fine of Rs 1 lakh.

Individuals found guilty of causing a death will face life imprisonment, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of the person's natural life, and a minimum fine of Rs 2 lakh or with death.

Abetment of suicide will be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 15 years and with a fine which shall not be less than Rs 2 lakh.

Those in charge of places like educational institutions, hostels, places of worship, cinemas, hotels, restaurants, hospitals and any home or hostel for the care and protection of women and children should implement preventative measures against harassment. These measures include installing CCTV cameras. They are required to report incidents to police within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.

Public vehicle crew is required to take the vehicle to the nearest police station on a complaint from the aggrieved person. They must then provide information to the police. Failure to comply with this procedure will result in a Rs 25,000 fine.

Executive magistrates can issue protection orders prohibiting the accused from contacting the aggrieved persons. This includes any form of communication, personal or oral or written or electronic or telephonic contact or through third parties. A breach of a protection order will be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and with a fine which may extend to Rs 1 lakh.