Act Number: 104

Act Name: The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956

Year: 1956

Enactment Date: 1956-12-30

Long Title: An Act to provide in pursuance of the International Convention signed at New York on the 9th day of May, 1950, for the Prevention of Immoral Traffic.

Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development

Department:

Section 6: Detaining a person in premises where prostitution is carried on.
    6. Detaining a 1[person] in premises where prostitution is carried on.--(1) Any person who detains 2[any other person, whether with or without his consent],-- (a) in any brothel, or
     (b) in or upon any premises with intent 3[that such person may have sexual intercourse with a person who is not the spouse of such person],
     shall be punishable 3[on conviction, with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may be for life or for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine:
     Provided that the court may, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than seven years].
5[(2) Where any person is found with a child in a brothel, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that he has committed an offence under sub-section (1).
     (2A) Where a child or minor found in a brothel, is, on medical examination, detected to have been sexually abused, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that the child or minor has been detained for purposes of prostitution or, as the case may be, has been sexually exploited for commercial purposes.]
(3) A person shall be presumed to detain a woman or girl in a brothel or in or upon any premises for the purpose of sexual intercourse with a man other than her lawful husband, if such person, with intent to compel or induce her to remain there,--
         (a) withholds from her any jewellery, wearing apparel, money or other property belonging to her, or
         (b) threatens her with legal proceedings if she takes away with her any jewellery, wearing apparel, money or other property lent or supplied to her by or by the direction of such person.
     (4) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against such woman or girl at the instance of the person by whom she has been detained, for the recovery of any jewellery, wearing apparel or other property alleged to have been lent or supplied to or for such woman or girl or to have been pledged by such woman or girl or for the recovery of any money alleged to be payable by such woman or girl.
    
Notes:
1. Subs. by Act 44 of 1986, s. 4, for bqtswoman or girlbqts (w.e.f. 26-1-1987).
2. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for bqtsany woman or girl, whether with or without his consentbqts (w.e.f. 26-1-1987).
3. Subs. by s. 9, ibid. for "that she may have sexual intercourse with any man other than her lawful husband" (w.e.f. 26-1-1987).
4. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 26-1-1987).
5. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 26-1-1987).

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