Chapter II DEFINITIONS

Criminal197542 sections7 chapters

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2. Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

Statutory text

(1) “alms” means anything given gratuitously to a beggar, such as money, cooked or un-cooked food, grains or clothing, or any other thing of value;
(2) “beggar” means any person other than a child who,-
- (a) solicits or receives alms in a public place whether or not under any pretence such as singing, dancing, fortune telling, performing tricks, or selling articles;
- (b) enters any private premises for the purpose of soliciting or receiving alms;
- (c) exposes or exhibits with the object of obtaining or extorting alms, any sore, wound, injury, deformity or disease whether of a human being or of an animal;
- (d) having no visible means of subsistence, wanders about or remains in any public place in such condition or manner as makes it likely that he exists by soliciting or receiving alms;
- (e) allows himself to be used as an exhibit for the purpose of soliciting or receiving alms: Provided that a person shall not be deemed to be a beggar if he,-
  - (i) is a religious mendicant licensed by the Central Relief Committee to solicit alms in the prescribed manner ;
  - (ii) in the performance of any religious vow or obligation as sanctioned by custom or religion collects alms in a private or public place, without being a nuisance; or
  - (iii) is permitted in writing by the Central Relief Committee to collect contributions in cash or kind from the public for any public institution, whether religious or secular or for the furtherance of any object for the good of the public; or
  - (iv) is a student collecting alms for the prosecution of his studies;
(3) “Central Relief Committee” means the committee constituted by the Government under section 4;
(4) “child” means a boy, who has not attained the age of sixteen years, or a girl, who has not attained the age of eighteen years;
(5) “Government” means the State Government;
(6) “institution” includes a receiving centre, a relief centre, colony, settlement area or any other institution declared to be such by the Government;
(7) “local area” means an area declared as such by the Government from time to time for the purposes of this Act by a notification;
(8) “local committee” means the committee appointed by the Central Relief Committee for any local area;
(9) “notification” means a notification published in the official Gazette;
(10) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(11) “public place” means any place intended for the use of or accessible to the public and includes any public conveyance;
(12) “receiving centre” means a centre established by the Central Relief Committee for the reception and temporary retention of beggars; and
(13) “Relief centre” means a centre established by the Central Relief Committee for the relief of beggars sent thereto.

PDF: pending for this language.