Trafficking of
person.
- (1) Whoever, for the purpose of exploitation recruits, transports, harbours, transfers,
or receives a person or persons, by—
(a) using threats; or
(b) using force, or any other form of coercion; or
(c) by abduction; or
(d) by practising fraud, or deception; or
(e) by abuse of power; or
(f) by inducement, including the giving or receiving of payments or benefits, in
order to achieve the consent of any person having control over the person recruited,
transported, harboured, transferred or received,
commits the offence of trafficking.
Explanation 1.—The expression “exploitation” shall include any act of physical
exploitation or any form of sexual exploitation, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude,
beggary or forced removal of organs.
Explanation 2.—The consent of the victim is immaterial in determination of the offence
of trafficking.
(2) Whoever commits the offence of trafficking shall be punished with rigorous
imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years, but which may extend to
ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
(3) Where the offence involves the trafficking of more than one person, it shall be
punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but
which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.
(4) Where the offence involves the trafficking of a child, it shall be punishable with
rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years, but which may
extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.
(5) Where the offence involves the trafficking of more than one child, it shall be
punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than fourteen
years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.
(6) If a person is convicted of the offence of trafficking of a child on more than one
occasion, then such person shall be punished with imprisonment for life, which shall mean
imprisonment for the remainder of that person’s natural life, and shall also be liable to fine.
(7) When a public servant or a police officer is involved in the trafficking of any person
then, such public servant or police officer shall be punished with imprisonment for life, which
shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person’s natural life, and shall also be
liable to fine.