Habitual dealing in slaves
What this section does
This section punishes habitual dealing in slaves, covering a wide range of activities including importing, exporting, removing, buying, selling, trafficking, or dealing in slaves on a habitual basis. It imposes severe penalties reflecting the gravity of repeated engagement in slave trade.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description up to 10 years, and fine.
- Triable by
- Sessions Court
- Cognizable
- Yes
- Bailable
- No
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- The accused habitually engaged in one or more of the following: importing, exporting, removing, buying, selling, trafficking, or dealing in slaves
Derived from IPC s.371.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 145, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 145 forms part of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which replaced the Indian Penal Code 1860 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.