74. Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby outrage her modesty, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 74: Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty
Chapter V — Of Offences Against Woman and Child
Old law equivalent
Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC), section 354 — Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage modesty.
Source: official text of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Ministry of Home Affairs).