Kidnapping is considered as a heinous crime where the person is taken into custody without his consent and thereafter he is confined in circumscribing limits. They are kidnapped because of the mala fide intention of the person which he aims to fulfil by kidnapping the person.
Section 363 A of Indian Penal Code
Section 363 A of Indian Penal Code talks about kidnapping and maiming a minor for begging. It states that if a person kidnaps any minor along with obtaining his unlawful guardianship to engage him in the activities begging. Then he shall be punishable for such offence.
If such person maims any minor with the same intention i.e engaging him in begging, then also he shall be punishable under this section.
Ingredients of Kidnapping
The essential requisite of this section is –
- The kidnapper kidnapped a minor
- The kidnapper obtained unlawful guardianship
- He aimed to use the minor for the purpose of begging
- He also maimed the minor.
Who is a Minor?
Here, the word ‘minor’ depicts a male child under the age of sixteen years and a female child under the age of eighteen years.
Begging under Indian Penal Code
This section also defined the term ‘begging’. Begging means –
- Requesting, approaching to get alms or receiving alms through performing any activities like singing, dancing, story telling, fortune telling, selling,etc in public areas
- Requesting, approaching to get alms or receiving alms in private places
- Using minor to get alms
- Showing wound, injury, disease of himself, any other person including animals to get alms
What is Maiming ?
Maiming means cutting off or putting a person in a situation where he can get sympathy from others. This activity involves cutting off hands, fingers, weakening or damaging body parts. Such damage or loss remains permanent.
Punishment
If a person commits the aforementioned act then he shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to ten years along with fine.
