Like most countries, Bangladesh has its fair share of harassment issues. Although there are rules and regulations against the act, many amongst us know very little or nothing about the legal actions one can take against an oppressor. So what constitutes as harassment and what might be the legal consequences? Let’s take a look
Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty
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 may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication
Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication, or having taken precaution to conceal the name or abode of the person from whom the threat comes, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, in addition to the punishment provided for the offence by the last preceding section.
Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman
Whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any word, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object, intending that such word or sound shall be heard, or that such gesture or object shall be seen, by such woman, or intrudes upon the privacy of such woman, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
Harassing on social media
Anyone can be penalised for “any false and obscene posts online” for a maximum of 14 years and a maximum fine of 1 crore. The offence is non-bailable.
Publication of Obscene materials is also punishable with two years of imprisonment and shall be accompanied by a fine of 1 lac taka.
Victims can also lodge complaints with Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commissions. The Bangladesh Computer-Security Incident Response Team (BDCSIRT) deals with complaints on harassment through Facebook, mobile photo or video, threatening by email and website hacking.
