IPC Section 371: Habitual dealing in slaves
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 16: Offences affecting the Human Body
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
¶Whoever habitually imports, exports, removes, buys, sells, traffics or deals in slaves, shall be punished with 1[imprisonment for life] or with imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding the years, and shall also be liable to fine.
¶CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCE
¶Punishment-Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for 10 years, and fine-Cognizable-Non-bailable-Triable by Court of Session-Non-compoundable.
¶____________________________________________
¶1. Subs. by Act 26 of 1955, sec. 117 and Sch., for "transportation for life" (w.e.f. 1-1-1956).
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNS 145 (same provision). IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28), p9
Official reference: Delhi District & Sessions Judge: government historical reference — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-06-30.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh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. Historical code retained for reference; read the repeal/savings provisions in the successor code.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 299. Culpable homicide
- 300. Murder
- 301. Culpable homicide by causing death of person other than person whose death was intended
- 302. Punishment for murder
- 303. Punishment for murder by life-convict
- 304. Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder
- 304A. Causing death by negligence
- 304B. Dowry death
- 305. Abetment of suicide of child or insane person
- 306. Abetment of suicide
- 307. Attempt to murder
- 308. Attempt to commit culpable homicide
- 309. Attempt to commit suicide
- 310. Thug
- 311. Punishment
- 312. Causing miscarriage
- 313. Causing miscarriage without woman’s consent
- 314. Death caused by act done with intent to cause miscarriage
- 315. Act done with intent to prevent child being born alive or to cause it to die after birth
- 316. Causing death of quick unborn child by act amounting to culpable homicide
- 317. Exposure and abandonment of child under twelve years, by parent or person having care of it
- 318. Concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead body
- 319. Hurt
- 320. Grievous hurt
- 321. Voluntarily causing hurt
- 322. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt
- 323. Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt
- 324. Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means
- 325. Punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt
- 326. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means
- 326A. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid etc
- 326B. Voluntarily throwing or attempting to throw acid
- 327. Voluntarily causing hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an illegal act
- 328. Causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence
- 329. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an illegal act
- 330. Voluntarily causing hurt to extort confession, or to compel restoration of property
- 331. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort confession, or to compel restoration of property
- 332. Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty
- 333. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty
- 334. Voluntarily causing hurt on provocation
- 335. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt on provocation
- 336. Act endangering life or personal safety of others
- 337. Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others
- 338. Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others
- 339. Wrongful restraint
- 340. Wrongful confinement
- 341. Punishment for wrongful restraint
- 342. Punishment for wrongful Confinement
- 343. Wrongful confinement for three or more days
- 344. Wrongful confinement for ten or more days
- 345. Wrongful confinement of person for whose liberation writ has been issued
- 346. Wrongful confinement in secret
- 347. Wrongful confinement to extort property, or constrain to illegal act
- 348. Wrongful confinement to extort confession, or compel restoration of property
- 349. Force
- 350. Criminal force
- 351. Assault
- 352. Punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation
- 353. Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty
- 354. Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty
- 354A. Sexual harassment and punishment for Sexual Harassment
- 354B. Assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe
- 354C. Voyeurism
- 354D. Stalking
- 355. Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation
- 356. Assault or criminal force in attempt to commit theft of property carried by a person
- 357. Assault or criminal force in attempt wrongfully to confine a person
- 358. Assault or criminal force on grave provocation
- 359. Kidnapping
- 360. Kidnapping from India
- 361. Kidnapping from lawful guardianship
- 362. Abduction
- 363. Punishment for kidnapping
- 363A. Kidnapping or maiming a minor for purposes of begging
- 364. Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder
- 364A. Kidnapping for ransom, etc
- 365. Kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person
- 366. Kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel her marriage, etc
- 366A. Procreation of minor girl
- 366B. Importation of girl from foreign country
- 367. Kidnapping or abducting in order to subject person to grievous hurt, slavery, etc
- 368. Wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement, kidnapped or abducted person
- 369. Kidnapping or abducting child under ten years with intent to steal from its person
- 370. Trafficking of person
- 370A. Exploitation of a trafficked person
- 372. Selling minor for purposes of prostitution, etc
- 373. Buying minor for purposes of prostitution, etc
- 374. Unlawful compulsory labour
- 375. Rape
- 376. Punishment for rape
- 376A. Punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegitative state of victim
- 376AB. Punishment for rape on woman under twelve years of age
- 376B. Intercourse by a man with his wife during separation
- 376C. Intercourse by person in authority
- 376D. Gang Rape
- 376DA. Punishment for gang rape on woman under sixteen years of age
- 376DB. Punishment for gang rape on woman under twelve years of age
- 376E. Punishment for repeat offenders
- 377. Unnatural offences [Declared Unconstitutional by Supreme Court]