IPC §370A → BNS §144

Exploitation of a trafficked person

Substantively sameConfidence: mediumStatus: cross checked
Last updated 2026-05-01 · Input coverage: full

Compiled by AI-assisted tools. Text verified against official sources where indicated. Field-level labels (AI-indicated / AI-inferred / Text-verified) apply per edge metadata. Verify current bail/cognizable status against official sources before relying on procedural claims. Last updated: 2026-04-28.

Jump to section

Comparison

Old law
IPC §370A
Exploitation of a trafficked person

370A. Exploitation of a trafficked person.—(1) Whoever, knowingly or having reason to believe that a minor has been trafficked, engages such minor 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 seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. (2) Whoever, knowingly by 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 five years, and shall also be liable to fine.]

New law
BNS §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.

What changedAI-inferred

IPC 370A preserved character-identically as BNS 144.

Old position

IPC Section 370A is concerned with Exploitation of a trafficked person.

New position

The successor provision is BNS 144 (Exploitation of a trafficked person). Relationship: substantively_same. See the change-note for the operative delta.

Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)

BNS 144 (Exploitation of a trafficked person) preserves the framework of IPC 370A. BNS 144 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code.

BNS 144 text: 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,...

Transitional note (repeal & savings)

For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 370A continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 144 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward in their existing frame.

Frequently asked

BNS 144. The relationship is classified as substantively_same. See the change-note above for the textual delta.

Cite this page

Newlaws.in, IPC §370A → BNS §144 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-12, https://newlaws.in/ipc/370A.

Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01

Not legal advice. Verify against the bare act and consult a qualified advocate for any specific matter.