IPC 370 vs BNS 370
● Retained in BNSTrafficking of persons
Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, criminalizes human trafficking. It punishes anyone who recruits, transports, harbors, or receives a person by force, coercion, abduction, fraud, or deception for the purpose of exploitation, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, or removal of organs.
Key points:
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Covers men, women, and children.
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Exploitation can include sexual, forced labor, servitude, or organ trade.
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Punishment: Rigorous imprisonment of 7 to 10 years and fine, which may extend to imprisonment for life in certain cases.
For example, if a person lures individuals under false pretenses and forces them into labor or sexual exploitation, it constitutes trafficking under IPC 370. The law ensures strict penalties to deter human trafficking and protect victims from exploitation.
Trafficking of persons
Section 370 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, mirrors IPC 370. It punishes anyone who recruits, transports, harbors, or receives persons through force, coercion, abduction, or deception for exploitation, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, or organ removal.
Key points:
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Applies to all genders and minors.
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Punishment is rigorous imprisonment of 7–10 years or life, plus fine.
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Includes acts of abduction, coercion, or deception for exploitative purposes.
For instance, a gang that deceives children into servitude or sexual exploitation falls under BNS 370. The section continues to provide strong legal protection against human trafficking, aligning with international norms and anti-trafficking measures.
What changed?
This provision was carried over to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita with substantially the same wording — the section was renumbered from IPC IPC 370 to BNS BNS 370.