At first, it might appear to you that verbal abuse is common in every part of the world, and there is nothing you can do about it. Like, it is true that there is free speech and everyone can express themselves however they want. But the point to note here is that verbal abuse is not free speech. And it is something you can definitely take legal action against, especially in India. So, let’s get to know about some of the laws against verbal abuse in India, shall we?
What Exactly Counts As Verbal Abuse?
Verbal abuse is a form of using language to hurt, insult, or threaten another person. It’s damaging and can cause deep emotional wounds. Though everybody is free to speak their mind, doing so in a manner that would emotionally and mentally scar a person is not acceptable and is acknowledged by the law as wrong.
What Are Some Laws Against Verbal Abuse in India?
In India, there are laws that help protect people from verbal abuse. Let’s explore a few specific laws:
1. Section 504 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
This section is there to specify on punishing anyone who purposely insults another person to provoke them to react in anger or violently. The consequences could be very severe: two years in jail with a fine or both. It is interesting here that in this law, the police require permission from the court for the arrest.
2. Section 294 of the IPC
This law takes care of any indecent words or acts in public places. If one speaks indecently using vulgar words or acts indecently in public, usually, he will be fined. This law makes it easy to handle a situation where there is an abusive exchange of words, and it is brought to the public domain where everyone around can serve as a witness.
3. Section 509 of the IPC
This will save women from such words, gestures, or actions made by any individual with the sole intention of insulting the modesty and dignity of the woman. Whoever does such an action shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to a fine. The law is even stricter for harassment that comes from family members or occurs through electronic methods, like online.
How Should You Go About Reporting Verbal Abuse In India?
Any such verbal abuse, if being experienced, should be reported to the nearest police station. This would be your first step in getting legal help. After the report has been filed, the police should have the possibility of further investigation. Thereafter, your case would be presented in court with reference to all evidence. This process has several steps, and it exists to ensure that justice is achieved. Besides, there are a few laws regarding some specific situations, for example, online verbal abuse or other particular verbal abuse. Knowledge about such laws will guide you on the right path of knowing how to defend and how to get help.
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