BNS Section 144 — Exploitation of a trafficked person
Section 144 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 addresses “Exploitation of a trafficked person”. Read the provision below with its qualifications, exceptions and chapter context; the official source is linked alongside it.
144. Exploitation of a trafficked person.—(1) Whoever, knowingly or having reason to believe that a child has been trafficked, engages such child for sexual exploitation in any manner, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years, but which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. ¶
(2) Whoever, knowingly or having reason to believe that a person has been trafficked, engages such person for sexual exploitation in any manner, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years, but which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. ¶
Source edition: 6 October 2025. This preview uses extracted India Code text. Editorial verification and checks for subsequent amendments and commencement notifications are pending. About the source →