IPC Section 292 - Sale, etc., of obscene books, etc.

For the purposes of sub-section (2), a book, pamphlet, paper, writing, drawing, painting representation, figure or any other object, shall be deemed to be obscene if it is lascivious or appeals to the prurient interest or if its effect, or (where it comprises two or more distinct items) the effect of any one of its items, is, if taken as a whole, such as to tend to deprave and corrupt persons who are likely, having regard to all relevant circumstances, to read, see or hear the matter contained or embodied in it.

• Whoever:
  1. sells, lets to hire, distributes, publicly exhibits or in any manner puts into circulation, or for purposes of sale, hire, distribution, public exhibition or circulation, makes, reduces or has in his possession any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation or figure or any other obscene object whatsoever, or
  2. imports, exports or conveys any obscene object for any of the purposes aforesaid, or knowing or having reason to believe that such object will be sold, let to hire, distributed or publicly exhibited or in any manner put into circulation, or
  3. takes part in or receives profits from any business in the course of which he knows or has reason to believe that any such obscene objects are, for any of the purposes aforesaid, made, produced, purchased, kept, imported, exported, conveyed, publicly exhibited or in any manner put into circulation, or
  4. advertises or makes known by any means whatsoever that any person is engaged or is ready to engage in any act which is an offence under this section, or that any such obscene object can be procured from or through any person, or
  5. offers or attempts to do any act which is an offence under this section, shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, and with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, and, in the event of a second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, and also with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.

IPC Section 292: Explained In Simple Terms

Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) makes it illegal to sell, share, or display any material that is considered obscene, like sexually explicit books, drawings, videos, or other similar content. The law aims to stop the spread of things that could harm public morals or encourage indecent behavior.

If someone is caught breaking this law, they can be punished with up to two years in jail and a fine for the first offense. If they do it again, the jail time can go up to five years, along with another fine.

However, this law does not apply to materials used for educational, scientific, or artistic purposes, as long as the intent is to benefit the public and not to offend. So, not everything explicit is automatically illegal—it depends on how it is used and the impact it might have on society.

Key Details Of IPC Section 292

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