Calling Unknown Women 'Darling' is an Offense

The Calcutta High Court has ruled that addressing an unknown woman as "darling" constitutes a criminal offense under Sections 354A and 509 of the Indian Penal Code. Justice Jay Sengupta upheld the conviction of Janak Ram, who, in an inebriated state, used the term with a woman constable.

Section 354A targets sexually colored remarks, and Justice Sengupta emphasized that addressing an unknown woman as "darling" on the street is offensive and a sexually colored remark. The court stated that current Indian societal standards don't permit such expressions towards unsuspecting women.

Janak Ram's remark occurred when he asked the woman constable if she had come to impose a fine. The incident took place during a police operation, and the FIR included charges under Sections 354A(1)(iv) and 509 of the IPC.

Initially sentenced to three months in jail and a Rs 500 fine for each offense, Janak Ram's appeal was rejected by the Additional Sessions Judge. The Calcutta High Court, while acknowledging Janak Ram's use of the offensive word, reduced the sentence to one month imprisonment, noting he didn't aggravate the offense further.

All in all, the High Court declared it unlawful to address unknown women as "darling," and Janak Ram's sentence was reduced for not escalating the offense beyond the use of the offensive term.

-By Vishnu Priya