IPC 363A — Kidnapping or maiming a minor for purposes of begging

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Statutory text

[363A. Kidnapping  or   maiming   a  minor   for   purposes  of begging.--(1) Whoever  kidnaps any  minor or,  not  being  the  lawful guardian of  a minor,  obtains the custody of the minor, in order that such minor  may be  employed or used for the purposes of begging shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
(2) Whoever  maims any  minor in  order that  such minor  may  be

employed or  used for the purposes of begging shall be punishable with imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.
(3) Where  any person,  not being the lawful guardian of a minor, employs or  uses such  minor for  the purposes of begging, it shall be presumed,  unless  the  contrary  is  proved,  that  he  kidnapped  or otherwise obtained  the custody  of that minor in order that the minor might be employed or used for the purposes of begging.
(4) In this section,-
(a) "begging" means-
(i) soliciting or  receiving alms  in a public place, whether   under    the   pretence    of   singing,  dancing, fortunetelling, performing  tricks or  selling  articles  or otherwise;
(ii) entering on any private premises for the purpose of soliciting or receiving alms;
(iii) exposing  or  exhibiting,  with  the  object  of obtaining  or  extorting  alms,  any  sore,  wound,  injury, deformity or  disease, whether  of himself  or of  any other person or of an animal;
(iv) using  a minor  as an  exhibit for  the purpose of soliciting or receiving alms;
(b) "minor" means-
(i) in the case of a male, a person under sixteen years of age; and (ii) in  the case  of a female, a person under eighteen years of age.]

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