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New bill to contain flesh trade

A draft bill to prevent immoral trafficking in women and children proposes imprisonment ranging from five to 14 years, and fines up to Rs 200,000.

The bill, prepared by the National Law School, Bangalore, has brought procuring, inducing and running of flesh trade into the law's ambit.

The proposed amendments provide for setting up special courts, chaired by district session judges or officials of similar rank, to deal with both civil and criminal offences.

It also has a provision for special police officers and a panel of voluntary officers, with powers to search without warrant premises where such offences are being committed.

The Central Advisory Panel, which discussed the draft on October 16, said there was no unanimity among the council members on punishing 'clients.'

Bharatiya Patita Uddhar Sabha president Khairati Lal Bhola, one of the committee members, said he had suggested setting up a board consisting of medical, legal and non-governmental organisation representatives to overcome illegal declaration of the age of children.

The bill is very severe on procurers, pimps, owners and managers of brothels, and authorities abating the crime. The bill also takes cognisance of the nexus of police, politicians, bureaucrats and civic officials with criminals.

The remodelled bill increases imprisonment to three years and fine to Rs 5,000 for first conviction. Second and subsequent convictions would bear seven years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 200,000.

For a pimp, the imprisonment is up to two years with fine. If the offence involves a minor, it would be anything between 7 to 10 years.

UNI

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