Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The case of Rupa Ashok Hurra v. KPS Gill (though often referred to as Rupa Bajaj v. KPS Gill, as Rupa Deol Bajaj was the original complainant) is a landmark case in Indian criminal law concerning the interpretation of offences against women.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The case involved an incident where a senior police officer, K.P.S. Gill, allegedly patted the posterior of a senior female IAS officer, Rupa Deol Bajaj, at a party. A criminal complaint was filed.
The Supreme Court had to decide whether this act constituted the offence of "outraging the modesty of a woman" under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code. The Court held that the act did amount to an offence under Section 354. It clarified that the test is whether the act is capable of shocking the sense of decency of a woman. The judgment was significant in upholding the dignity and modesty of women, especially in the context of acts committed by persons in power.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The Rupa Bajaj v. KPS Gill case was decided on the issue of outraging the modesty of a woman under Section 354 of the IPC.
A glance over all the Sections related to extortion would reveal a clear distinction being carried out between the actual commission of extortion and the process of putting a person in fear for the purpose of committing extortion. Section 383 defines extortion, the punishment therefor is given in Section 384. Sections 386 and 388 provide for an aggravated form of extortion. These sections deal with the actual commission of an act of extortion, whereas Sections 385, 387 and 389 IPC seek to punish for an act committed for the purpose of extortion even though the act of extortion may not be complete and property not delivered. It is in the process of committing an offence that a person is put in fear of injury, death or grievous hurt. Section 387 IPC provides for a stage prior to committing extortion, which is putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt ’in order to commit extortion’, similar to Section 385 IPC. Hence, Section 387 IPC is an aggravated form of 385 IPC, not 384 IPC. Having deliberated upon the offence of extortion and its forms, we proceed to analyze the essentials of both Sections, i.e.,383 and 387 IPC, the High Court dealt with.
(Extracted from Balaji Traders v. State of UP, 2025 INSC 806)