The Kerala High Court on Monday issued a notice to the state government and the Director-General of Police on a petition seeking to strictly implement the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A M Shaffique issued the directive on a petition filed by Saju Pulluvazhy, of Kochi, against the inaction on the part of the law enforcement agency to implement the Act.
The petitioner said that young ladies were subject to indecent representation of their body, including their private parts, in advertisements of textile shops, jewellery stores and cinema, in violation of the Act.
Section 3 of the Act prohibits advertisement containing indecent representation of women. Section 4 prohibits publication or sending by post books and pamphlets containing indecent representation of women. The Act provides for punishment on first conviction with an imprisonment, of either description, for a term which may extend to two years and with a fine up to `2,000. In the event of a second conviction, there would be an imprisonment for a term of not less than six months but which may extend to five years, and with a fine not less than `10,000, but which may extend to `1,00,000.
He said that the petition was filed in good faith to protect the dignity and decency of women. The law against the indecent representation of women was violated with the tacit approval of the law enforcement agency by publishing indecent advertisements.
“The vulgar dance performed by women in nude and semi-nude poses at a public function in the city is a classic example. In the advertisements of films, indecent publication of women’s private parts is also shown. There was a dereliction of duty by the police for not taking action against the perpetrators of the offence,” the petitioner pointed out.
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