Legal experts point out that per se kissing is not an offence
Adults displaying affection even if it is in public cannot be termed a criminal offence. (Photo: DC/File)
Kochi: 'Kiss of Love' has raised several eyebrows and has posed a legal question: 'Is kissing in public a criminal offence?' Legal experts point out that per se kissing is not an offence. Adults displaying affection even if it is in public cannot be termed a criminal offence.
According to Adv S.Rajeev, one of the leading lawyers for criminal cases in the Kerala High Court, public display of affection by way of kissing is not an offence unless and until the act becomes obscene. The police can book a person if he/she causes annoyance to others through an obscene act, under Section 294 of IPC.
Kissing was not banned under law, he added. If the police charges Section 294 against a particular person, the prosecution will have to prove the charge before a court before the offender can be punished. Under the Act, the offender is liable for imprisonment up to three months or a fine, or both.
“One can never term kissing an obscene act", said Adv Sangeetha Lakshmana. She added that if an onlooker thought the act was obscene he/she could file a complaint.
Legal experts, however, hinted that the possibility of people getting punishment under the Act for a kissing offence was quite remote.
( Source : dc )
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