Eve-teasers will face the music

State enacts law making eve-teasing a cognizable, non-bailable offence.

MUMBAI: A law has at last come into force in the state making eve-teasing a cognizable, non-bailable offence. First-time offenders are likely to get a 15-day jail term. Do it again and you could be locked up for a month.

The Maharashtra Prevention of Eve-Teasing Act 2006 also provides for speedy trials. The comprehensive law states that a man of any age who by signs, expressions or gestures, whistles, foul language, or songs harasses any woman of any age at a public place is liable for prosecution.

The move for such a law was initiated through a private member’s amendment bill moved by BJP legislator Sudhir Mungantiwar on March 26 with Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe. Mungantiwar had argued that there had been a substantial increase in eve-teasing and there was no law to deal with it.

The state admitted as much when notifying the new law. The bill, which was passed in the last session of the state legislature, was signed into an act on Friday by Governor SM Krishna.

Women have expressed satisfaction with the ordinance. But police officers were not aware of its existence. DCP (Enforcement) Sanjay Aparanti said, “I have not received a copy of the law yet. It is early to comment.” GRP Commissioner Suresh Khopade reacted similarly.