Holding Hand, Pulling Woman, Expressing Love is Criminal Offense: Chhattisgarh HC

• Chhattisgarh High Court ruled that holding a woman's hand, pulling her, and expressing love constitutes a criminal offense.
• The act falls under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for outraging modesty.
• Case involved a 19-year-old man who pulled a schoolgirl, saying "I love you," causing her distress.
• Court defined "modesty" as "womanly propriety of behaviour" and deemed such acts "highly objectionable."
• POCSO conviction was set aside due to unproven minority; sentence reduced from three years to one year.

Why It Matters: Chhattisgarh HC clarifies that unwelcome physical advances, even with "love" expression, outrage modesty.