SECTION 363A IPC - Indian Penal Code - Kidnapping or maiming a minor for purposes of begging

• Whoever kidnaps any minor or, not being the lawful guardian of a minor, obtains the custody of the minor, in order that such minor may be employed or used for the purposes of begging shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
• Whoever maims any minor in order that such minor may be employed or used for the purposes of begging shall be punishable with imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

1. Where any person, not being the lawful guardian of a minor, employs or uses such minor for the purposes of begging, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that he kidnapped or otherwise obtained the custody of that minor in order that the minor might be employed or used for the purposes of begging.
2. In this section
   1. “begging” means:
      1. soliciting or receiving alms in a public place, whether under the pretence of singing, dancing, fortunetelling, performing tricks or selling articles or otherwise;
      2. entering on any private premises for the purpose of soliciting or receiving alms;
      3. exposing or exhibiting, with the object of obtaining or extorting alms, any sore, wound, injury, deformity or disease, whether of himself or of any other person or of an animal;
      4. using a minor as an exhibit for the purpose of soliciting or receiving alms;
   2. “minor” means:
      1. in the case of a male, a person under sixteen years of age; and
      2. in the case of a female, a person under eighteen years of age.

IPC 363A in Simple Words

According to section 363A of the Indian Penal Code, anyone who kidnaps a minor or obtains custody of a minor (not being the lawful guardian) to use the minor for begging purposes can be imprisoned for up to ten years and fined. If someone maims a minor for the same purpose, they can face life imprisonment and a fine. If a person uses a minor for begging, it is presumed that they obtained custody of the minor for begging purposes, unless proven otherwise.