Definitions

In this Act unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,–– (a) “begging” means,— (i) soliciting alms in a public place, or in or about a temple, mosque or other place of public worship, whether or not under any pretence ; (ii) entering on any private premises for the purpose of soliciting alms ; (iii) exposing or exhibiting with the object of obtaining or extorting alms, any sore, wound, injury, deformity or disease whether of human being or an animal ; (iv) having no visible means of subsistence and wandering about or remaining in any public place or in a temple, mosque or other place of public worship in such condition or manner as makes it like that the person doing so exists by soliciting alms ; (v) allowing himself to be used as an exhibit for the purpose of soliciting alms, but does not include soliciting money or fee or gift for a purpose authorised by law or authorised in the prescribed manner by the District Magistrate ; (b) “Sick Home”means a home certified by the Government or by any subordinate authority empowered by it in this behalf to be a fit place for the reception of beggars suffering from leprosy or any other infectious or contagious disease ; (c) “Court” means the Court of a Judicial Magistrate Ist Class ; (d) “Police Officer” means a Police Officer not below the rank of a Sub-Inspector of Police ; (e) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act ; (f) “public place” means any highway, public park or garden and any public bridge, road, lane, foot-way, square, court, alley or passage ; (g) “Beggar’s Home” means a home notified by the Government as suitable for the reception of beggars above the age of 14 years ; (h) “Children’s Home” means a place notified by the Government as suitable for the reception of beggars below the age of 14 years and not suffering from any infectious or contagious disease.