Bombay HC: Acts Without 'Skin-To-Skin' Contact Are Not Sexual Assault

In a bizarre ruling by Bombay High Court's Nagpur bench, Justice Pushpa Ganediwala pronounced mere groping without "skin-to-skin contact and sexual intent" will not fall under sexual assault. However, the single-judge bench ruled the act to fall within IPC section 354 that penalizes "outraging the modesty of a woman". Reportedly, the ruling came when the court was hearing the plea of an accused who allegedly harassed a 12-year-old girl.