Sending obscene MMSs from your mobile could land you with a fine as the government is mulling stricter penalties for such offences, according to a media report.
“The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, mooted by the women and child development ministry, will make objectionable representation of women unlawful. The first conviction will attract a fine of Rs 50,000, up from Rs 2,000, and a jail term of up to three years. The term will be raised to a maximum of five years for the second and subsequent conviction and then hiked from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh,” the report on the website of Times of India read.
Apart from MMSs, indecent representation of women in audio and visual material, including pornography on the internet, advertisements, and any other publications will be in the list.
The proposed legislation has been circulated to ministries for their opinions and is likely to be taken up by the Union Cabinet soon.
Recently, Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi was rocked by an MMS scandal involving students.