Soliciting alms

Soliciting alms. (1) Whoever, in any street or public place within the municipality, begs importunately for alms, or exposes, or exhibits with the object of exciting charity, any deformity or disease, or any offensive sore or wound, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description, which may extend to three months, or with a fine not exceeding fifty rupees, or with both, provided that- (a) in the case of a first offence, the Court may, if it thinks fit, instead of sentencing the convict to any punishment release him after due admonition; (b) in any case, the court may, if it is satisfied of the inability of the convict to earn a livelihood, owing to physical infirmity or debility and if the person-in-charge of any poor house in the municipality certifies that he is willing to receive him, direct that the convict be received into such poor house, after being released on entering into a bond, with or without sureties, to appear and receive sentence, when called upon during such period, not exceeding three years as the court may direct. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, an offence punishable under this section shall be cognizable ; and notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a court may take cognizance of such an offence in the manner provided by Section 190 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1888.