New Delhi: Sharing porn or obscene videos online or through multimedia messaging services (MMS) may soon attract a prison term up to seven years and a maximum fine of `500,000, the government proposed yesterday.
These stringent punishments are part of the amendments proposed in the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 (IRWA) that were approved by the union cabinet, ahead of the legislation being sent to parliament for making it the law of the land.
The amendments to the IRWA seek to increase the fine and jail term, apart from expanding its scope to include audio-visual and electronic media within its ambit. The law, at present, is applicable only to the print media.
“The union cabinet today approved the introduction of amendments to the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 in parliament,” a government release said soon after the cabinet met here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Among the key amendments proposed are broadening the scope of the law to cover the audio-visual media and material in electronic form, the release said. The government said the amendments sought to ensure that more effective protection is provided against indecent representation of women by covering newer forms of communication like Internet and multimedia messaging, beyond the print and audio-visual media.
“This would aid in addressing the problem of increased objectification of women thereby ensuring dignity of women,” the release said. Under the amended law, penalties will be enhanced to a maximum of three years of imprisonment and fine between `50,000 and `100,000 for first conviction. A second conviction under the law will invite an imprisonment of not less than two years, but which may extend to seven years, and a fine between `100,000 and `500,000.
IANS
