BNS §139
Kidnapping or maiming a child for purposes of begging
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Comparison
2[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.]
(1) Whoever kidnaps any child or, not being the lawful guardian of such child, obtains the custody of the child, in order that such child may be employed or used for the purposes of begging shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.
(2) Whoever maims any child in order that such child may be employed or used for the purposes of begging shall be punishable with imprisonment which shall not be less than twenty years, but which may extend to life which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, and with fine.
(3) Where any person, not being the lawful guardian of a child employs or uses such child for the purposes of begging, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that he kidnapped or otherwise obtained the custody of such child in order that such child might be employed or used for the purposes of begging.
(4) In this section "begging" means— (i) soliciting or receiving alms in a public place, whether under the pretence of singing, dancing, fortune telling, 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 such child as an exhibit for the purpose of soliciting or receiving alms.
What changedAI-inferred
IPC 363A preserved character-identically as BNS 139.
Old position
IPC 363A is concerned with Kidnapping or maiming a minor for purposes of begging. 2[363A
New position
BNS 139 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: Kidnapping or maiming a child for purposes of begging. Whoever kidnaps any child or, not being the lawful guardian of such child, obtains the custody of the child, in order that such child may be employed or used for the purposes of begging shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a
BNS 139 (Kidnapping or maiming a child for purposes of begging) preserves the framework of IPC 363A. BNS 139 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code. BNS 139 text: Whoever kidnaps any child...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
BNS 139 (Kidnapping or maiming a child for purposes of begging) preserves the framework of IPC 363A. BNS 139 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code.
BNS 139 text: Whoever kidnaps any child or, not being the lawful guardian of such child, obtains the custody of the child, in order that such child may be employed or used for the purposes of begging shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which may extend to imprisonment...
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 363A continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 139 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward unaffected.
Frequently asked
BNS 139 (Kidnapping or maiming a child for purposes of begging). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — see the change-note above for the textual delta.
Sources
- India Code — Indian Penal Code, 1860
- Gazette of India — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Cite this page
Newlaws.in, IPC §363A → BNS §139 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-14, https://newlaws.in/bns/139.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
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