School of Law & Governance

Central University of South Bihar

LAW 560 Women and Criminal Law L T P C

Version: 1.1 4 0 0 4
Pre-requisites//Exposure Indian Penal Code,Law of Evidence,Cr.P.C.
co-requisites All other specific Laws
Semester X (Non CBCS)
B.A.LL.B.(H.)

Course Description: The best way to understand the spirit of a civilization and its excellence
is to study the history of its women and the treatment mooted out to them. Gender has always
shaped the legal and cultural landscapes of all countries. Women though numerically equal
are a minority group in terms of power and influence. The differences between man and
women may be small but they have snowballing effects on the status of a majority of women.
Even the most significant, rich and civilized empires can not boast of providing their women
equal treatment. It was soon realized that no country can progress if half of its total
population is behind-socially, economically and politically. However, despite the laws,
discrimination and violence continues unabated. The constitutional mandate was followed by
the legislative intent being expressed in the form of various enactments which were passed to
protect the rights and uphold the dignity of women.

Objectives of the Course:

 To highlight the problems faced by women, the laws to safeguard their interests and
the judgements given by various courts.

Teaching Learning Methodology:

In this course various teaching-learning methods shall be used with an objective to emphasize
a cooperative learning format. Student would be encouraged to participate in class room
discussions and make presentation on given subject. Discussions shall be combined with
instructor facilitated experiences and lectures. These methods particularly include:

Lecture Method
Problem Method
Case Study Method
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 Assignment Submission
Individual Presentation
Seminar Paper
Group Discussion

Evaluation Scheme:

Continuous Assessment 30 Points

End Term 70 Points

Course Content

Module-I: Introduction to the Subject

 Root causes of violence against women-Religion.Patriarchy,Maariage institution and

changing cultural values.
 Social Evils-Prostitution.Sati,Child Marriage,Female Feticide and Infenticide.
 International Norms relating to protection of women-CEDAW,Declaration on
Elimination of violence against women,1993
 Protection under Constitution of India

Module-II:Protection under Criminal Laws:

 Protection under IPC-Definition of Rape-Ss.375-376,Criminal Law (Amendment)

Act2013,
 Marrital Offences;cohabitation by a man with a women other than his wife-S.493;
 Bigamy-S.494-495;Mock Marriage-S.496;
 Adultery-S.497;Enticing a married women-S.498;
 Offences against minor girls-Ss.366,366A,366B,372,373

Module-III: Procedural Laws and Protection of Women

 Indian Evidence Act-Ss.113A,113B,114A and relevant provisions of Criminal

Procedure Code;
 Protection under special laws-Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929;
 Immoral Traffic(Prevention) Act 1956(As updated);
 Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971;
 Commission of Sati(Prevention)Act 1987;

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  Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques(Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act
1994(PNDT)

Module-IV:Domestic Violance and the Laws

 Different forms of Domestic Violance;

 Amendment made in IPC-Ss.304B,306,498A;
 Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 (As amended);
 Protection of Women from Domestic Violance Act-2005;
 Civil Remady;
 Definition of domestic violance;
 Role of Police Officers;
 Protection Officers and Service Providers;
 Sexual Harassement of Women at Work Place(Prevention) Act 2014

Module-V:Role of Statutory Bodies

 National Commission of Women and State Commission of Women;

 Constitution,Powers and Functions;
 Free Legal Aid to Women

Suggested Reading:

 Women and Laws.G.B.Reddy,Gogia Law Agency,Hydrabad

 Crime against Women and Protection Laws,Sobha Sexena,Deep and Deep
Publication,Delhi.
 Laws and Gender Inequality,Flaria Agnis,Oxford University Press,New Delhi.
 Law relating to women and Children,Mamta Rao,Eastern Book Company.
 Domestic Violance,Indiara Jaisingh,Universal Publicashing Pvt Ltd.
 All relevant books of IPC,Cr.P.C.Evidence as suggested by course instructor
 All relevant and leading cases.

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