Penalty for begging after detention as beggar

(1) Whoever, having been previously detained in a Work House, Special Home or, as the case may be, in a Certified Home in accordance with the provisions of this Act, is found begging shall on conviction be punished as is hereinafter in this section provided. (2) When a person is convicted for the first time under sub-section (1), the Court shall order him to be detained in a Work House, Special Home or Certified Home, as the case may be, for not less than three years and not more than seven years and may convert any period of such detention not exceeding one year into a sentence of imprisonment extending to a like period: Provided that if the Court, at any time after the passing of the sentence, of its own motion or on application, is satisfied that the person sentenced under this sub-section is not likely to beg again, it may release the person after due admonition on a bond for his abstaining from begging and being of good behaviour being executed with or without sureties, as the Court may require, by the person or any other person whom the Court considers suitable. (3) When a person is convicted for the second or subsequent time under sub-section (1), the Court shall order him to be detained for ten years in a Work House, Special Home or Certified Home, as the case may be, and may convert any period of such detention not exceeding one year into a sentence of imprisonment extending to a like period.