Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 373: Buying minor for purposes of prostitution, etc

Repealed. Repealed from 1 July 2024. Use it for offences committed before repeal and other liabilities, investigations or proceedings preserved by BNS section 358; do not use it as the current general penal code.

Chapter XVI — Of Offences Affecting the Human Body

373. Whoever buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of any [person under the age of eighteen years with intent that such person shall at

Explanation I.-Any prostitute or any person keeping or managing a brothel, who buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of a female under the age of eighteen years shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to have obtained possession of such female with the intent that she shall be used for the purpose of prostitution.

Source: official text of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.