# Harassed on the street? That can be a crime.

> Words, sounds or gestures meant to insult a woman's modesty are an offence under section 509 PPC: up to 3 years, or a fine up to Rs.500,000, or both. It covers markets, public transport, streets and parks, and private places too.

- Topic: Criminal law
- For: Citizens
- A 14-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/harassed-on-the-street-that-can-be-a-crime
- Published by FAI Legal on 2026-10-29

## Myth or fact?

What people often think.

- **Myth: He only passed remarks. The law cannot touch him.**
- **Fact: Words, sounds or gestures meant to insult a woman's modesty: up to 3 years, or fine up to Rs.500,000 (PPC s.509).**

## The law.

Section 509, PPC.

> "Whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any word, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object, intending that such word or sound shall be heard, or that such gesture or object shall be seen, by such woman, or intrudes upon the privacy of such woman ..." (Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 509)

## What counts.

Section 509, clause (i).

- **Words or sounds** Meant to be heard by her.
- **Gestures or objects** Meant to be seen by her.
- **Her privacy** Intruding on it.

## Not only on the street.

Explanation 1, section 509.

- **Public places** Markets, public transport, streets, parks.
- **Private places** Workplaces, private gatherings, homes.

## The punishment.

Section 509, PPC.

- **Prison** Up to 3 years.
- **Or a fine** Up to Rs.500,000.
- **Or both** The court can order both.

## Obscene acts in public.

Section 294, PPC.

- **The act** An obscene act in a public place, to others' annoyance.
- **The words** Obscene songs or words in or near a public place.
- **The term** Up to 3 months, or fine, or both.

## Quick quiz. The bus stop.

Guess first, then swipe for the answer.

- **A. Yes, at once**
- **B. No, a warrant is needed**
- **C. Only if she is hurt**

## Answer: B. Schedule II, CrPC.

And section 155, CrPC.

- **s.509** Shall not arrest without a warrant.
- **At the station** Police record it and refer it to the Magistrate.
- **Investigation** Only on a Magistrate's order (s.155(2)).

## How each runs.

Schedule II, CrPC.

- **s.509** Bailable. Compoundable with the court's permission. Magistrate of the first class.
- **s.294** Arrest without warrant. Not bailable. Any Judicial Magistrate.

## Public means public.

Federal Shariat Court, Crl. Appeal 32-I of 2012, 30 Apr 2013.

- **The facts** A spot in a mountain area.
- **The holding** Not abandoned, and open to the public, so a public place.
- **The result** The s.294 conviction stood.

## It happened to you?

Three steps, in this order.

- **Note it** Time, place, witnesses, any video.
- **Report it** At the police station, for the Magistrate.
- **Or go to court** A private complaint to the Magistrate.

## Not sure?

Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it.

- **A man follows my sister from college and passes remarks every day. What can we do?**
- **What is the punishment under section 509 PPC?**

## Sources

- Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 509: Insulting modesty or causing sexual harassment

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