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Rape.



Section 375, The Indian Penal Code,1860.

A man is said to commit "rape" who, except in the case hereinafter excepted, has sexual intercourse with a woman under circumstances falling under any of the six following descriptions: -

  • First:-Against her will.
  • Secondly: -Without her consent.
  • Thirdly: – With her consent, when her consent has been obtained by putting her or any person in whom she is interested in fear of death or of hurt.
  • Fourthly: -With her consent, when the man knows that he is not her husband, and that her consent is given because she believes that he is another man to whom she is or believes herself to be lawfully married.
  • Fifthly: – With her consent, when, at the time of giving such consent, by reason of unsoundness of mind or intoxication or the administration by him personally or through another of any stupefying or unwholesome substance, she is unable to understand the nature and consequences of that to which she gives consent.
  • Sixthly: – With or without her consent, when she is under sixteen years of age.

Punishment :

  • Punishment for rape.

(Section 376, The Indian Penal Code, 1860.)

(1) Whoever, except in the cases provided for by sub-section (2), commits rape shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may be for life or for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine unless the woman raped is his own wife and is not under twelve years of age, in which case, he shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both:

Provided that the Court may, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than seven years.

(2) Whoever,-

(a)  being a Police Officer commits rape-

(i)   within the limits of the Police Station to which he is appointed; or

(ii)   in the premises of any station house whether or not situated in the Police Station to which he is appointed; or

(iii) on a woman in his custody or in the custody of a Police Officer subordinate to him; or

(b) being a public servant, takes advantage of his official position and commits rape on a woman in his custody as such public servant or in the custody of a public servant subordinate to him; or

(c)   being on the management or on the staff of a jail, remand home or other place of custody established by or under any law for the time being in force or of a women’s or children’s institution takes advantage of his official position and commits rape on any inmate of such jail, remand home, place or institution; or

(d)   being on the management or on the staff of a hospital, takes advantage of his official position and commits rape on a woman in that hospital; or

(e)   commits rape on a woman knowing her to be pregnant; or

(f)   commits rape on a woman when she is under twelve years of age; or

(g)   commits gang rape,

Shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may be for life and shall also be liable to fine:

Provided that the Court may, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment of either description for a term of less than ten years.

  • Intercourse by a man with his wife during separation.

(Section 376 (A), The Indian Penal Code, 1860.)

Whoever has sexual intercourse with his own wife, who is living separately from him under a decree of separation or under any custom or usage without her consent shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine.

  • Intercourse by public servant with woman in his custody.

(Section 376 (B), The Indian Penal Code, 1860).

Whoever, being a public servant, takes advantage of his official position and induces or seduces, any woman, who is in his custody as such public servant or in the custody of a public servant subordinate to him, to have sexual intercourse with him, such sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine.

  • Intercourse by Superintendent of jail, remand home, etc.

(Section 376 (C), The Indian Penal Code, 1860.)

Whoever, being the superintendent or manager of a jail, remand home or other place of custody established by or under any law for the time being in force or of a women’s or children’s institution takes advantage of his official position and induces or seduces any female inmate of such jail, remand home, place or institution to have sexual intercourse with him. Such sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine.

  • Intercourse by any member of the management or staff of a hospital with any woman in that hospital.

(Section 376 (D), The Indian Penal Code, 1860.)

Whoever, being on the management of a hospital or being on the staff of a hospital takes advantage of his position and has sexual intercourse with any woman in that hospital, such sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine.

Preventive Measures :

In order to sensitize the Police Officers at the ground level to prevent offences against women, CID, Crime Branch compiled a Compendium on Crime against Women. The Compendium contains the following.