Men don’t get license to outrage modesty of women wearing seductive outfit : High Court of Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) – The right to wear any dress is a part of the right to personal freedom granted by the Constitution. In hearing the case, Kerala High Court held that men do not have a license to outrage a woman’s modesty just because of wearing a seductive outfit. In its decision in the sexual harassment case, the High Court expressed the above opinion regarding Civic Chandran’s anticipatory bail application. Civic Chandran’s anticipatory bail application was challenged in the High Court by the State Government and other complainants. Moreover, the High Court ruled that the Kozhikode Sessions Court gave an incorrect reason for granting anticipatory bail.

The order passed by the Kozhikode Sessions Court on 12th August sparked a huge controversy. According to the Court, Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code does not apply to women who wear seductive outfit. As a result, no misconduct case can be filed against the accused. The State Government had approached the Kerala High Court alleging that the order was insensitive. The Court had granted anticipatory bail to Civic Chandran. Kerala High Court upheld lower Court’s decision.