Buying minor for purposes of prostitution, etc

INDIAN PENAL CODE, 1860

Section 373 - Buying minor for purposes of prostitution, etc

Whoever buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of any 2[ person under the age of eighteen years with intent that such person shall at 1. Subs. by Act 26 of 1955, s. 117 and Sch., for" transportation for life". 2. Subs. by Act 18 of 1924, s. 2, for" minor under the age of eighteen years with intent that such minor shall be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution or for any unlawful and immoral purpose, or knowing it to be likely that such minor will be". 3. Ins. by s. 3, ibid, any age be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution or illicit intercourse with any person or for any unlawful and immoral purpose, or knowing it to be likely that such person will at any age be] employed or used for any such purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. 1[ 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. Explanation II.-" Illicit intercourse" has the same meaning as in section 372.]