Vidhi Codex

THE HIMACHAL PRADESH PREVENTION OF BEGGARY ACT, 1979

The Himachal Pradesh Prevention of Beggary Act, 1979

Criminal197918 sections

This law establishes procedures to address begging in Himachal Pradesh by defining what constitutes begging and outlining steps for removal of individuals identified as beggars from public places. It empowers magistrates to conduct inquiries, declare individuals as beggars, and order them to leave the state within a specified timeframe. The Act applies to anyone found begging in public places or traveling conveyances, with special provisions for children under 16 (boys) or 18 (girls). It matters because it provides legal mechanisms to remove begging from public spaces while ensuring due process through magistrate inquiries and mandatory seven-day notice periods, balancing public order concerns regarding begging with procedural protections for those identified.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 0. Preamble
  2. 1. Short title, extent and commencement
  3. 2. Definitions
  4. 3. Removal of a beggar from any place
  5. 4. Punishment for living on the earnings of a beggar
  6. 5. Procuring, inducing, or taking a child or female for the sake of begging.
  7. 6. Sentence of imprisonment for non-payment of fine.
  8. 7. Probation of good conduct and detention in beggar homes.
  9. 8. Security of good behaviour from habitual offenders.
  10. 9. Notification of addresses of offenders.
  11. 10. Offences to be cognizable and triable summarily.
  12. 11. Seizure and custody of animals exposed for soliciting alms
  13. 12. Seizure and custody of a child found with a beggar
  14. 13. Beggar homes
  15. 14. Protection of action taken in good faith
  16. 15. Power to remove difficulties
  17. 16. Power to make rules
  18. 17. Operation of other laws not barred

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