IPC 373 vs BNS 373
● Retained in BNSBuying minor for purposes of prostitution, etc.
Section 373 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, criminalizes buying a minor (male or female) for the purpose of prostitution, sexual exploitation, or other immoral purposes. It complements IPC 372, which deals with selling minors, by targeting the buyers who facilitate sexual exploitation.
Key points:
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Applies to minors under 18 years.
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Purchase must be with intent for prostitution or sexual exploitation.
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Punishment: Imprisonment up to 10 years and fine.
For example, if a person buys a 16-year-old girl from a trafficker to exploit her in prostitution, this act falls under IPC 373. The law ensures that both sellers and buyers of minors for sexual purposes are held accountable, reinforcing child protection measures and acting as a deterrent against exploitation.
Buying minor for purposes of prostitution, etc.
Section 373 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, mirrors IPC 373. It continues to punish individuals who purchase minors for prostitution, sexual exploitation, or other immoral purposes.
Key points:
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Protects all minors under 18 years.
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Punishment remains imprisonment up to 10 years and fine.
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Covers acts of buying, trafficking, or inducing minors for sexual purposes.
For instance, anyone buying a minor from a trafficker to exploit them sexually falls under BNS 373. The provision ensures strict legal consequences for buyers of minors, maintaining the protective framework of IPC 373.
What changed?
This provision was carried over to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita with substantially the same wording — the section was renumbered from IPC IPC 373 to BNS BNS 373.