99. Whoever buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of any child with intent that such child shall at any age be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution or illicit intercourse with any person or for any unlawful and immoral purpose, or knowing it to be likely that such child will at any age be employed or used for any such purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to fourteen years, and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation 1.—Any prostitute or any person keeping or managing a brothel, who buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of a female under the age of eighteen years shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to have obtained possession of such female with the intent that she shall be used for the purpose of prostitution. Explanation 2.— “Illicit intercourse” has the same meaning as in section 98.
IPC Section 373 in BNS: Section 99
Buying minor for purposes of prostitution, etc
Section 373 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Buying minor for purposes of prostitution, etc) corresponds to Section 99 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNSS First Schedule, BNS 99 is cognizable, non-bailable, triable by Court of Session; punishment: Imprisonment for not less than 7 years but which may extend to 14 years and fine.
Bail, cognizability and punishment
| Section | Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | Buying child for purposes of prostitution, etc. | Imprisonment for not less than 7 years but which may extend to 14 years and fine. | Cognizable | Non-bailable | Court of Session |
Source: BNSS, 2023, First Schedule, Part I.
The BNS applies to offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. Offences committed earlier are charged and tried under the IPC.
Text of BNS Section 99
Full BNS Section 99 and every IPC section it replaced →
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