Sentencing Guide

BNS Section 143 Punishment Jail Term, Fines & Sentencing Guidelines

BNS Section 143: Trafficking of person (Legacy IPC Section 370)

Statutory Classification Details

Trafficking of person

  • Bailable Status: Non-bailable (Bail can only be granted by the Judiciary)
  • Cognizable Status: Cognizable (Police can arrest without warrant)
  • Triable Court: Court of Session
  • Official Punishment: Rigorous imprisonment for not less than 7 years but which may extend to 10 years and fine

Trafficking of more than one person

  • Bailable Status: Non-bailable (Bail can only be granted by the Judiciary)
  • Cognizable Status: Cognizable (Police can arrest without warrant)
  • Triable Court: Court of Session
  • Official Punishment: Rigorous imprisonment for not less than 10 years but which may extend to imprisonment for life and fine

Trafficking of a child

  • Bailable Status: Non-bailable (Bail can only be granted by the Judiciary)
  • Cognizable Status: Cognizable (Police can arrest without warrant)
  • Triable Court: Court of Session
  • Official Punishment: Rigorous imprisonment for not less than 10 years but which may extend to imprisonment for life and fine

Trafficking of more than one child

  • Bailable Status: Non-bailable (Bail can only be granted by the Judiciary)
  • Cognizable Status: Cognizable (Police can arrest without warrant)
  • Triable Court: Court of Session
  • Official Punishment: Rigorous imprisonment for not less than 14 years but which may extend to imprisonment for life and fine

Person convicted of offence of trafficking of child on more than one occasion

  • Bailable Status: Non-bailable (Bail can only be granted by the Judiciary)
  • Cognizable Status: Cognizable (Police can arrest without warrant)
  • Triable Court: Court of Session
  • Official Punishment: Imprisonment for life which shall mean the remainder of that person's natural life and fine

Public servant or a police officer involved in trafficking of child

  • Bailable Status: Non-bailable (Bail can only be granted by the Judiciary)
  • Cognizable Status: Cognizable (Police can arrest without warrant)
  • Triable Court: Court of Session
  • Official Punishment: Imprisonment for life which shall mean the remainder of that person's natural life and fine