IPC Section 372 — Selling minor for purposes of prostitution, etc.

kidnapping, abduction, slavery and forced labour

Criminal

Punishment

Imprisonment up to 10 years and fine

As the section puts it: “shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine”

Summary

Whoever sells, rents out, or gives away a person under eighteen years old, intending that the person will at some point be used for prostitution, illegal sexual activity, or any other unlawful or immoral purpose — or knowing that this is likely to happen — can be punished with imprisonment for up to ten years and also fined.

Official Text

Whoever sells, lets to hire, or otherwise disposes of any person under the age of eighteen years with intent that such person 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 person will at any age be employed or used for any such purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Related Judgments

  • SANNAIA SUBBA RAO & ORS. vs STATE OF A.P — Supreme Court of India (2008)
  • STATE (GNCT) OF DELHI vs RAHUL DAS & ORS — Delhi High Court (2025)
  • ARUN KUMAR vs THE STATE OF BIHAR & ORS — Supreme Court of India (2017)
  • NIPUN SAXENA & ANR. vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS — Supreme Court of India (2018)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

  • BNS §98 — Selling child for purposes of prostitution, etc