BBanaka

BNS Section 144: Exploitation of a trafficked person

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter 6: Of Offences Affecting the Human Body - Of offences affecting life - Of hurt - Of wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement - Of criminal force and assault - Of kidnapping, abduction, slavery and forced labour

Also available in: हिंदी

144. (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.

Study: explanations and related material

Replaces IPC 370A. IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28)

Punishment, bail and trial

144(1)Exploitation of a trafficked child.

Punishment
Rigorous imprisonment for not less than 5 years but which may extend to 10 years and fine.
Cognizable or not
Cognizable
Bailable or not
Non‑bailable
Triable by
Court of Session

144(2)Exploitation of a trafficked person.

Punishment
Rigorous imprisonment for not less than 3 years but which may extend to 7 years and fine.
Cognizable or not
Cognizable
Bailable or not
Non‑bailable
Triable by
Court of Session

Source: BNSS First Schedule, Gazette of India, 25 December 2023, p. 168. The Schedule gives the substance of the section, not its full definition, and a State may have amended the classification for its territory. See it in the full First Schedule

Official reference: Ministry of Home Affairs: Gazette text, 25 December 2023 — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-07-01.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately.

This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.

Other sections in this chapter