Penalty Info

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Human traffickingPossibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

§ 143(2) — traffickingPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
7–10 years rigorous imprisonment
Fine
Fine (amount not stated in section)

Minimum 7 years.

§ 143(3) — trafficking of more than one personPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
10 years–life
Fine
Fine (amount not stated in section)

Minimum 10 years.

§ 143(4) — trafficking of a childPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
10 years–life
Fine
Fine (amount not stated in section)

Minimum 10 years.

§ 144(1) — sexual exploitation of a trafficked childPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
5 years–life
Fine
Fine (amount not stated in section)

Range reported in a Ministry of Home Affairs Lok Sabha reply; re-check against BNS text.

§ 144(2) — sexual exploitation of a trafficked personPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment
3–7 years
Fine
Fine (amount not stated in section)

Figure reported from secondary summaries of the IPC § 370A continuity; re-check against BNS text.

Note on this entry

BNS § 143(5)–(7) (trafficking of a minor, of more than one minor, repeat / public-servant trafficking) are NOT tiered here — the reproduced text available in this pass covered §§ 143(2)–(4) only; they need a follow-up check against India Code.

Source

Statute
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 §§ 143–144
Official source
Indian Law Hub reproduction of BNS text (not India Code)
Verification status
India Code could not be read directly; § 143(2)–(4) corroborated from two independent reproductions; § 144 tiers rest on a government reply / single summaries and need re-check; §§ 143(5)–(7) not tiered.
Last verified
2026-10-19
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, judicial discretion; POCSO / Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act charges. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.