Penalty for begging after detention

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, whoever having been previously detained in a work-house or a special home under this Act is found begging shall on conviction by a Magistrate, be punished as hereinafter in this section provided.

(2) When a person is convicted for the first time under sub-section (1), the Magistrate shall order him to be detained in a work-house or a special home, as the case may be, for not less than three years and not more than seven years and may convert any period of such detention not exceeding one year into a sentence of imprisonment extending to a like period.

(3) When a person is convicted for the second or subsequent time under sub-section (1) the Magistrate shall order him to be detained in a work-house or a special home, as the case may be, for not less than three years and not more than ten years and may convert any period of such detention not exceeding two years into a sentence of imprisonment extending to a like period.