Home / India / Child exploitation (BNS offences against children)
Child exploitation (BNS offences against children)Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
§ 95 — hiring, employing or engaging a child to commit an offencePossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 3–10 years
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
Minimum 3 years; if the offence is committed, the hirer is also punished as if they committed it themselves. Explanation covers use of a child for sexual exploitation or pornography.
§ 96 — procuration of a child (inducing a child to go / do an act to be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse)Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 10 years
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
Gender-neutral in BNS (IPC version covered girls only).
§ 97 — kidnapping / abducting a child under 10 years with intent to steal movable property from the child's personPossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 7 years
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
§ 98 — selling, letting to hire, or otherwise disposing of a child for prostitution / illicit intercourse / unlawful and immoral purposePossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 10 years
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
Presumption where a female under 18 is disposed of to a prostitute / brothel-keeper.
§ 99 — buying, hiring, or otherwise obtaining possession of a child for prostitution / illicit intercourse / immoral purposePossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 7–14 years
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
Minimum 7 years; presumption where a brothel-keeper obtains a female under 18.