Exploitation of a trafficked person
Full Text
144. Exploitation of a trafficked person.—(1) Whoever, knowingly or having reason to believe that a child has been trafficked, engages such child for sexual exploitation in any manner, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years, but which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
(2) Whoever, knowingly or having reason to believe that a person has been trafficked, engages such person for sexual exploitation in any manner, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years, but which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Plain English Summary
Punishes anyone who knowingly or with reason to believe a person has been trafficked engages such child (5-10 years imprisonment) or adult (3-7 years imprisonment) for sexual exploitation.
Key Legal Elements
- Knowingly engaging a person for sexual exploitation.
- Having reason to believe that the person/child has been trafficked.
- Separate higher punishment limits established for exploiting child victims versus adult victims.
Punishment
Child: Rigorous imprisonment 5-10 years, plus fine; Adult: Rigorous imprisonment 3-7 years, plus fine
Practical Note
This section corresponds to Section 370A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The definition and punishments remain unchanged. It establishes criminal liability specifically for those who consume services or engage trafficked victims for sexual exploitation, targeting the demand side of human trafficking.
हिंदी पाठ
144. दुर्व्यापार किए गए व्यक्ति का शोषण.—(1) जो कोई, यह जानते हुए या यह विश्वास करने का कारण रखते हुए कि किसी बालक का दुर्व्यापार किया गया है, ऐसे बालक को किसी भी रीति से यौन शोषण के लिए लगाएगा, वह कठिन कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि पांच वर्ष से कम की नहीं होगी, किंतु जो दस वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, दंडित किया जाएगा और जुर्माने से भी दायी होगा।
(2) जो कोई, यह जानते हुए या यह विश्वास करने का कारण रखते हुए कि किसी व्यक्ति का दुर्व्यापार किया गया है, ऐसे व्यक्ति को किसी भी रीति से यौन शोषण के लिए लगाएगा, वह कठिन कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि तीन वर्ष से कम की नहीं होगी, किंतु जो सात वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, दंडित किया जाएगा और जुर्माने से भी दायी होगा।