Vidhi Codex

THE BOMBAY PREVENTION OF BEGGING ACT, 1959

The Gujarat Prevention of Begging Act, 1959

General195938 sections4 chapters

This legislation regulates and prohibits begging in public places and private premises across the State of Gujarat. It applies to individuals caught soliciting alms, their dependents, child beggars, and persons who employ or exploit others for begging. Under the law, police can arrest suspected beggars without a warrant, leading to court inquiries that may direct individuals to receiving centres or certified rehabilitation institutions for training, employment, and care rather than immediate prison terms. The Act matters because it seeks to address public vagrancy through forced institutional rehabilitation while imposing strict penalties on repeat offenders and those exploiting vulnerable people for profit.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY. →

  1. 1Short title, extent, commencement and repeal of corresponding laws and provisions
  2. 2Definitions

Chapter II PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH BEGGARS AND BEGGAR →

  1. 3Powers of Courts
  2. 4Power to require person found begging to appear before Court
  3. 5Summary inquiry in respect of persons found begging and their detention
  4. 6Penalty for begging after detention as beggar
  5. 7Offences to be tried summarily
  6. 8Contribution of parents
  7. 9Court may order detention of persons wholly dependent on beggar
  8. 10Power of State Government to order further detention of incurably helpless beggars
  9. 11Penalty for employing or causing persons to beg or using them for purposes of begging

Chapter III RECEIVING CENTRES AND CERTIFIED INSTITUTIONS. →

  1. 12Provision of Receiving Centres
  2. 13Provision of Certified Institutions
  3. 14Visiting Committees
  4. 15Advisory Committees
  5. 16Payment of contribution by local authorities and recovery thereof
  6. 17Appointment of Chief Inspector, Additional Chief Inspector, Inspectors, Assistant Inspectors and Probation Officers
  7. 18Search in receiving Centres and Certified Institutions.
  8. 19Management and discipline.
  9. 20Disciplinary imprisonment.
  10. 21Transfer from one Receiving Centre or Certified Institution to another.
  11. 22Release on licence.
  12. 23Revocation of licence.
  13. 24Unconditional release.

Chapter IV MISCELLANEOUS. →

  1. 25Procedure on order of detention or sentence of imprisonment.
  2. 26Medical examination and detention of leprosy patients and lunatics.
  3. 27Arrest of person escaping from Receiving Centre or Certified Institution.
  4. 28Transfers between Certified Institution and Institution of like nature in different parts of India.
  5. 29Power to take finger prints.
  6. 30Seizure and disposal of animals exposed or exhibited for obtaining or extorting alms.
  7. 31Offences to be cognizable and nonbailable.
  8. 32Persons to be deemed public servants.
  9. 33Bonds taken under Act V of 1898.
  10. 34Appeals.
  11. 35Rules.
  12. 36Removal of difficulties.

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