BNS Section 144 — Exploitation of a trafficked person

Summary

Sub-section (1) covers cases involving a child. If a person knowingly, or having reason to believe, that a child has been trafficked, engages that child for sexual exploitation in any manner, the punishment is rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than five years, which may extend up to ten years, and the person is also liable to a fine.

Sub-section (2) covers cases involving a person who is not a child. If a person knowingly, or having reason to believe, that a person has been trafficked, engages that person for sexual exploitation in any manner, the punishment is rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than three years, which may extend up to seven years, and the person is also liable to a fine.

Official Text

(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.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.5 p.522 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.4 p.2730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2024) Vol.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §370A — Exploitation of a trafficked person