Crime Against Women and Children MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Crime Against Women and Children - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is The Act does not extend' to 'live-in' relationships and only covers marital households.

Key Points

• The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to protect women from domestic violence.
• It was brought into force by the Indian government and the Ministry of Women and Child Development on 26 October 2006. 
• The Act defines "domestic violence" for the first time in Indian law, with this definition being broad and including not only physical violence but also other forms of violence such as emotional and psychological abuse.
• It is a civil law meant primarily for protection orders, rather than criminal enforcement.

Additional Information 

• Domestic violence is defined by Section 3 of the Act as "any act, omission or commission or conduct of the respondent shall constitute domestic violence in case it:
  • harms or injures or endangers the health, safety, life, limb or well-being, whether mental or physical, of the aggrieved person or tends to do so and includes causing physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal and emotional abuse, and economic abuse; or
  • harasses, harms, injures, or endangers the aggrieved person to coerce her or any other person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any dowry or other property or valuable security; or
  • has the effect of threatening the aggrieved person or any person related to her by any conduct mentioned in clause (a) or clause (b); or
  • otherwise injures or causes harm, whether physical or mental, to the aggrieved person.

The correct answer is option1.

• Section 498 A refers to husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty. The case was lodged by a woman against her husband and in-laws for subjecting her to cruelty.
• The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, is also a way to curtail the offensive practices against women

Key Points

• The complainant can apply for the reliefs under sections 18-22 and interim reliefs can be obtained under Section 21 of the Domestic Violence Act.
• 498A is non-bailable.
• The cases under 498A are non-bailable and bail can be granted under the discretion of the magistrate.

Additional Information

• Under section 304-B (2) of IPC whoever commits dowry death shall be punished with imprisonment for a terms which shall not be less that 7 yrs. but which may extend to imprisonment for life.

The offence U/s 304-B is

• Cognizable
• Nonbailable
• Non- compoundable
• Tribal by Court of Session

The correct answer is Option 4

Key Points

• The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was enacted in 2012 to protect children from offences of sexual abuse and exploitation, making statement (i) correct.
• POSCO is gender neutral, as it recognizes that both boys and girls can be victims of sexual offences, making statement (ii) correct.
• The Act mandates in-camera trials to ensure the privacy and dignity of the child during legal proceedings, making statement (iii) correct.
• Therefore, all the statements (i, ii, and iii) are correct.

Additional Information

• The POCSO Act: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, provides a robust legal framework to protect children under the age of 18 years from sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography, while safeguarding the interests of the child at every stage of the judicial process.
• Gender Neutrality: One of the notable features of the POCSO Act is its gender-neutral stance, recognizing that both boys and girls can be victims of sexual offences. This ensures equal protection and justice regardless of gender.
• In-camera Trial: The Act mandates that cases under POCSO must be tried in-camera to protect the child victim's privacy. This ensures a safe environment for the child to testify without fear or intimidation.
• Special Courts: The Act provides for the establishment of Special Courts for the speedy trial of offences under the POCSO Act.
• Mandatory Reporting: Under the Act, it is mandatory to report cases of child sexual abuse. Failure to do so is a punishable offence.
• Child-friendly Procedures: The Act ensures child-friendly procedures during investigation and trial, including the appointment of support persons to assist the child.
• Stringent Punishment: POCSO prescribes stringent punishments ranging from imprisonment to the death penalty, depending on the severity of the offence.

The correct answer is Any number (as many as he deems fit).

Key Points

• Section 8B of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 empowers the State Government to appoint Dowry Prohibition Officers.
• The Act specifies that the State Government can appoint officers in any number as deemed necessary for effective enforcement of the provisions of the Act.
• The Dowry Prohibition Officers are responsible for preventing the practice of dowry and ensuring compliance with the law.
• The State Government also determines the jurisdictional areas and powers of these officers under the Act.
• This provision aims to strengthen the implementation of anti-dowry measures and safeguard the rights of individuals.

Additional Information

• Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
  • The Act was enacted to prohibit the giving or taking of dowry in India.
  • Dowry is defined as any property or valuable security given by one party to another in connection with marriage.
  • It applies to all Indian citizens irrespective of their religion.
  • Violation of this Act can lead to imprisonment of up to 5 years and a fine of up to Rs. 15,000 or the value of dowry, whichever is higher.
• Role of Dowry Prohibition Officers
  • They are tasked with ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act.
  • They have the authority to conduct investigations and file reports against violators.
  • The officers can assist victims in reporting dowry-related offenses and provide legal guidance.
  • They play a critical role in raising awareness about the legal consequences of dowry practices.
• Legal Remedies for Dowry Victims
  • Victims can file complaints under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with cruelty by husband or relatives.
  • They can also seek protection under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
  • Helpline services and NGOs are available to assist victims in reporting cases and obtaining legal aid.
  • The Dowry Prohibition Act also allows confiscation of dowry items during investigations.
• Statistics on Dowry in India
  • Despite legal provisions, dowry-related offenses remain a significant social issue in India.
  • According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), thousands of dowry-related deaths and cases are reported annually.
  • Awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement are essential for reducing dowry practices.
  • Education and women empowerment are key strategies to combat this social evil.

The correct answer is Three months.

Key Points

• As per Section 9 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, an aggrieved woman must file a complaint within three months of the incident.
• The complaint can be made to the Internal Committee (IC), if constituted, or to the Local Committee (LC) if the IC is not present at the workplace.
• The Act also allows the Internal or Local Committee to extend the time limit for filing the complaint by another three months if the woman can provide sufficient reasons for the delay.
• The Act ensures that the complaint process remains confidential and sensitive to the needs of the complainant.
• This provision is part of the broader effort to provide a safe and secure working environment for women, free from harassment.

Additional Information

• Internal Committee (IC):
  • Every employer with more than 10 employees is required to constitute an Internal Committee to address complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace.
  • The IC must have a majority of women members and include one external member from an NGO or association familiar with sexual harassment issues.
• Local Committee (LC):
  • In cases where the workplace has fewer than 10 employees or no Internal Committee exists, complaints can be directed to the Local Committee established by the District Officer.
  • The LC ensures that women in small or unregulated workplaces also have access to redressal mechanisms.
• Confidentiality Clause:
  • The Act mandates strict confidentiality regarding the identity of the complainant, respondent, and witnesses during the inquiry process.
  • Breach of confidentiality can result in a penalty under the provisions of the Act.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance:
  • Employers who fail to comply with the provisions of the Act, such as setting up the IC or ensuring employee awareness, may face fines and other penalties.
  • Repeated violations can lead to cancellation of the employer’s business license.
• Safe Working Environment:
  • The Act emphasizes creating a safe and inclusive working environment by mandating preventive measures, sensitization programs, and clear policies against harassment.
  • This is part of the broader objective to promote gender equality and safety at workplaces.

The correct answer is the Divorce case.Key PointsCriminal law

• Criminal cases are ones that deal with offenses endangering or harming the property, health, safety, and welfare of the people.
• Divorce or separation of married couples is not a criminal case in India.
• Criminal Law defines conduct prohibited by the state that threatens public welfare and safety.
• The law also prescribes punishment for committing such crimes.
• The objective is to punish the wrong-doer and to deter him and others in society from repeating it.
• Example of criminal law cases is Assault and Battery, Robbery, Sexual Assault, Cybercrime, Money Laundering, Murder, dowery, Theft, etc.

Important PointsCivil law

• Civil Law is that branch of law that safeguards the rights of individual members of society and provides legal remedies to disputes.
• Divorce cases generally fall under civil law.
• Divorce involves the legal dissolution of a marriage and typically addresses issues such as property division, child custody, alimony, and other related matters.
• Civil Law aims to rectify wrong-doings and amicably settle disputes.
• The party who suffers any injury is compensated for the damage.
• The plaintiff is the party who files a complaint to start the litigation.
• Similarly, the party that responds to the complaint is called the defendant.

The correct answer is 2007.

• Prohibition of Child Marriages Act, 2006 was introduced in to address the weaknesses inherent in the former legislation.
  • It came into effect from 1st November 2007, replacing the Child Marriage Restraint Act (CMRA) of 1929 or the Sharda Act.
  • This law was amended in 1978, wherein the legal age of marriage of girls was raised from 15 to 18 years and of boys from 18 to 21 years.
  • The amended law was known as the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929.

• Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) defines child marriage as marriage in which either the girl or the boy is underage, i.e.,
  • the girl is under 18 years of age or the boy is younger than 21 years.
  • If the boy is over 18 years of age at the time of marriage, he will be treated as an offender and can be punished.
  • The guardians or parents of the child, including any member of any organization or association that associates with child marriage or is negligent about preventing it can be punished.

Additional Information

• Under PCMA, offenders can be punished for up to two years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh for violations.
• The petition to nullify the marriage can be made in court only by the girl or boy, who was a child at the time of marriage.
• However, a guardian or a friend along with the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer can file the annulment petition on behalf of the child, if they are is still minor.

The correct answer is Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

• The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 consolidated the anti-dowry laws which had been passed on certain states.
• This Act may be called the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
• It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint.

Key Points

• This legislation provides for a penalty in section 3 if any person gives, takes or abets giving or receiving of dowry.
• The punishment could be imprisonment for minimum 5 years and a fine more than ₹15,000 or the value of the dowry received, whichever is higher.

The correct answer is Visakha.

• In Visakha, case reference does the 'Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace' Act enshrines and encompasses almost all the guidelines given.

Key Points

• ​Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act
  • Workplace sexual harassment in India was for the very first time recognized by the Supreme Court of India (“Supreme Court”) in its landmark judgment of Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (“Vishaka Judgment”),
  • Here the Supreme Court framed certain guidelines and issued directions to the Union of India to enact an appropriate law for combating workplace sexual harassment

​Additional Information

• Workplace sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination that violates a woman’s fundamental right to equality and right to life, guaranteed under Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution of India (Constitution).​

The correct answer is Sections 2 (b).

• Generally in any law starting chapter contains the definition clause and in most of the small act or specialised laws, it is section 2 which contains definitions of the terms. However, this is not uniform for all the laws.
• The term child marriage is defined under section 2 (b) of The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

Key Points

• Any marriage where either Bride or groom is below the permissible age is called child marriage.
• The permissible age for marriage of a girl is minimum 18 years and that for a boy is a minimum of 21 years.

The correct answer is Stalking.

• IPC Section 354 D: Stalking
  • Description
  • Any man who—
  • follows a woman and contacts, or attempts to contact such woman to foster personal interaction repeatedly despite a clear indication of disinterest by such woman; or monitors the use by a woman of the internet, email or any other form of electronic communication, commits the offence of stalking.

Additional Information

• S. 354 A
  • Sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment

The correct answer is 2015.

• The Rajasthan Prevention of Witch-hunting Act, 2015 came into force in April 2015.
  • The special Enactment, as the name suggests, is ostensibly targeted at combating the problem of Witch-Hunting that prevails in the state.
  • The Preamble to the Act states that the objective of the Act is to " provide effective measures to tackle the menace of Witch-hunting" and to "prevent the practice of Witchcraft".

Important Points

• The thesis of this essay is that the Act suffers from a problem of overcriminalisation, as is evidenced primarily by Section 2 (b) [4] and Section 8 [5] of the Act.
• While a society founded on principles of liberty ought to respect the autonomy of its citizens, the State has the power to criminalize certain modes of conduct.
• Section 3 of the Act prohibits the commission of witch-hunting and the exercise and practice of witchcraft.
• Generally, it is a central principle of criminalization that there must be an actus reus (guilty act) and men's rea (guilty state of mind). When either of the two elements is lacking, criminalization does not generally follow. Under the definition section, the actus reus is the “use of supernatural or magical power” to “call up spirit or cast spell or discover the whereabouts of stolen goods”. The men's rea that the definition provides for is “evil intention”. 

The correct answer is 2.

Key Points

• The meaning of dowry is mentioned in Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

• According to Section-2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, `dowry’ means any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly:

  • by one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage
  • by the parents of either party to a marriage or by any other person, to either party to the marriage or to any other person; at or before or any time after the marriage in connection with the marriage of said parties but does not include dower or mahr in the case of persons to whom the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) applies. 

Additional Information

• Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 comes under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Present Minister of Women and Child Development is Smriti Zubin Irani. 

The correct answer is 2013.

• In 2013, the enactment of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act was done which brought in the aspects of acid attack as new offences.
  • It was promulgated in the light of protests against the 2012 Delhi Gang Rape.
  • As a result of that acid attack was made an offence under the Ordinance which was later incorporated in the Amendment Act.

Additional Information

• Along with the provisions under Sections 326A and 326B, the Amendment Act, 2013 also inserted an additional clause under Section 100.
• This additional clause under section 100 provided an exception from criminal liability by granting a right of private defence extends to cause the death of a person who has committed an act of throwing or administering acid or an attempt to throw or administer acid.
• The Amendment Act of 2013 also proposed the insertion of Section 114B.
• The insertion of Section 114B stated that 'Presumption as to Acid Attack in favour of the victim under the Indian Evidence Act, 1972.
• The Constitution of India also contains a provision for granting remedies and securing safeguards against such heinous crime under the head of Fundamental Rights and DPSPs. Victims of acid attack face lifetime physical, social, psychological and economic consequences. It becomes difficult for the victims to work
• Acid attack violates the right to life, right to employment and various other fundamental rights hence the protection is given under Article 12-35 of the Indian Constitution though it does not deal with it specifically

The correct answer is Punishment for rape.

• Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code deals with the Punishment for rape.

Key Points

• Punishment for rape:
  • Whoever, except in the cases provided for by sub-section (2) (being a police officer commits rape), commits rape shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may be for life or for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine unless the women raped is his own wife and is not under twelve years of age, in which cases, he shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.
  • Provided that the court may, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than seven years.

Additional Information

• Section 374: Unlawful compulsory labour
• Section 377: Unnatural offences
• Section 375: Rape