Special judge SJ Ansari said that the term objectified women in a sexual manner and would attract the offence of outraging modesty of woman under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The judge sitting at Sessions Court in Dindoshi, Mumbai, convicted the businessman under Sections 354 IPC and provisions under the Protection of Children under Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and sentenced him to 1.5 years in jail.
The judge emphasized that such offences and uncalled behaviour need to be dealt with a heavy hand to protect women.
“The accused having addressed her by using the term “item” which is a term used generally by boys to address girls in a derogatory fashion as it objectifies them in a sexual manner. The same will clearly indicate his intention of outraging her modesty. …Such offences need to be dealt with a heavy hand as a lesson needs to be meted out to such road side romeos, in order to protect the women from their uncalled for behaviour,” the judge observed in his 28 page conviction order.
Source: Barandbench
