Supreme Court: Abusive Language Does Not Qualify as Obscenity Under IPC

The Supreme Court has ruled that using swear words or abusive language does not amount to obscenity under Indian law. The court overturned a conviction that had been handed down for the use of abusive slurs during a dispute. According to the bench, obscenity requires a lascivious element that appeals to prurient interests, a standard that mere profanities do not meet. The judgment further noted that for words to be actionable in public spaces, they must also cause annoyance to others. The ruling provides an important legal distinction between offensive language and obscenity as defined under the IPC.