[30th. December, 1956.]

An Act to provide in pursuance of the International Convention signed at New York on the 9th day of May, 1950, for  ²[the Prevention of immoral traffic].
Be it enacted by Parliament in the Seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

1. Short title, extent and commencement - (1) This Act may be called  ³[the Immoral Traffic (Prevention)]Act, 1956.
   (2) It extends to the whole of India.
   (3) This section shall come into force at once; and the remaining provisions of this Act shall come into force on such date⁴  as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

COMMENTS

The Act extends to all the States as well as the Union Territories.
The provisions of this Act (except that of section) came into force the 1st May, 1958
vide GSR 269 dated 16-4-1958 published in the Gazette of India, Part-II-Section 3(i) p.203.

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

⁸X X X X X
⁹[¹⁰ (f) "prostitution" means the sexual exploitation or abuse of persons for commercial purposes, and the expression "prostitute" shall be construed accordingly;]

(g) "protective home" means an institution by whatever name called (being an institution established or licensed as such under Section 21), in which ¹¹[persons], who are in need of care and protection, may be kept under this Act ¹²[and where appropriate technically qualified persons, equipment and other facilities have been provided], but does not include-

1. a shelter where ¹³[undertrials] may be kept in pursuance of this Act, or
2. a corrective institution;]

(h) "public place" means any place intended for use by, or accessible to, the public and includes any public conveyance;

(i) "special police officer" means a police officer appointed by or on behalf of the State Government to be in charge of police duties within a specified area for the purpose of this Act;

¹[(i) "trafficking police officer" means a police officer appointed by the Central Government under sub-section (4) of section 13.

COMMENTS

Clause (aa):
"Child means a person who has not completed the age of 16 years.
"major" means a person who has completed the age of 18 years. [Clause (ca)]
"minor" means a person who has completed the age of 16 years but has not completed the age of 18 years. [Clause (cb)]

Clause (g):
"protective home" is distinct from "corrective institution".

Clause (i):
Every police officer is not a " special police officer" for the purposes of this Act.

Clause (j):
The Central Government alone can appoint  "trafficking police officer".

Prostitution
A prostitute is a woman who offers her body to indiscriminate sexual intercourse, especially for hire. [Oxford Dictionary] [Razia v. State of U.P., AIR 1957 All. 340].

A woman, should surrender her body for monetary consideration to someone who is not legally entitled to have sexual intercourse with her. [The Emperor v. Lalya Bapu Jadhav, AIR 1929 Bombay 266].

Prostitution involves indiscriminate employment of a woman's body for hire. [In re :Deva Kumar, 1972 Madras Law Journal (Criminal) 150].
Prostitution suggests sexual relations for hire [Cleveland v. U.S. Utah 67 S.Ct. 13.]
Sexual intercourse is not synonymous with prostitution. [Commonwealth v. Kanier, 3 Pa. co. 276].
"Promiscuous" implies "indiscriminate". [In re: Ratna Mala, AIR 1962 Madras 31].
Any person who keeps or maintains or acts or assists in the keeping and management or a brothel, is liable to be punished under this section. [The State of Rajasthan v. Mst.Wahida, 1981 Rajasthan Criminal Cases 42].
Brothel
Solitary instance of prostitution in a place does not make the place a "brothel". [Sushila v. State of T.N., 1982 Crl. L.J. 702 (Madras)]
Prostitute or prostitutes must be strangers to the Occupancy. [The Emperor v. Versimal Bahagiomal, (1913) 14 Crl. L.J. 282].
Residence of a single woman who practices prostitution for her own livelihood, will not amount to a brothel. [In re: Ratnamala, AIR 1962 Madras 31].
Prostitution of a woman should be for the gain of another person as to the premises to be called as brothel. [In re: John, AIR 1966 Madras 167].
The people of opposite sexes come to and have illicit intercourse on the premises. [Winter v. Wolfe, 1930(29) Cox 214].
A place used once for the purpose of prostitution may not be a brothel. [Krishnamurthy v. Public Prosecutor, 1967 Crl. L.J. 544 (SC.)].
There must be at least 2 women using the premises for purposes of prostitution to constitute the same as "brothel". {Coldwell v. Leech, 1913 (109) L.T. 183]
Public Place
A public place is one where the public go, or if people are allowed access to it. [Ram Karan Lal v. The Emperor, AIR 1916 Nagpur 15]
Omnibus, railway platform, public urinal, unfenced compound, part of compound of a temple, harbour premises, etc. are "public places".
A public place is one which is in full view of the public and one to which the public has access. [In re: Lala, AIR 1930 Oudh 394].

[2A. Rule of construction regarding enactments not extending to Jammu and Kashmir.- Any reference in this Act to a law which is not in force in the State of Jammu and Kashmir shall, in relation to the State, be construed as a reference to the corresponding law, if any, in force in that State].

COMMENTS

It is clarified that any reference in this Act to a law, if not enforced in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, has to be construed as a reference to the corresponding law, if any, in force therein.

3. Punishment for keeping a brothel or allowing premises to be used as a brothel. (1) Any person who keeps or manages, or acts or assists in the keeping or management of, a brothel shall be punishable on first conviction with rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than three years and also with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees and in the event of a second or subsequent conviction, with rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than two years and not more than five years and also with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.
   (2) Any person who-
   1. being the tenant, lessee, occupier or person in charge of any premises, uses, or knowingly allows any other person to use, such premises or any part thereof as a brothel, or
   2. being the owner, lessor or landlord of any premises or the agent of such owner, lessor or landlord, lets the same or any part thereof with the knowledge that the same or any part thereof is intended to be used as a brothel, or is wilfully a party to the use of such premises or any part thereof as a brothel,
      shall be punishable on first conviction with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years and with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees and in the event of a second or subsequent conviction, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and also with fine.
      ¹[(2A) For the purposes of sub-section (2) it shall be presumed until the contrary is proved, that any person referred to in clause(a) or clause(b) of that sub-section, is knowingly allowing the premises or any part thereof to be used as a brothel or, as the case maybe, has knowledge that the premises or any part thereof are being used as a brothel, if, -
      1. a report is published in a newspaper having circulation in the area in which such person resides to the effect that the premises or any part thereof have been found to be used for prostitution as a result of a search made under this Act; or
      2. a copy of the list of all things found during the search referred to in clause (a) is given to such person].

      (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, on conviction of any person referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (2) of any offence under that sub-section in respect of any premises or any part thereof, any lease or agreement under which such premises have been leased out or are held or occupied at the time of the commission of the offence, shall become void and inoperative with effect from the date of the said conviction.

COMMENTS

Any person who-

1. keeps, or
2. manages, or
3. acts or assists in the keeping or management of,
   a brothel, shall be liable to be punished with-
1. rigorous imprisonment for not less than 1 year but upto 3 years and also fine upto Rs.2,000/-, on first conviction; and
2. rigorous imprisonment for not less than 2 years but upto 5 years and also fine upto Rs. 2000/-.

When-

1. the tenant lessee, occupier or person in charge of any premises,-
   1. uses, or
   2. knowingly allows any other person to use,
      such premises as a brothel; or
2. the owner, lessor or landlord of any premises or his agent,-
   1. lets such premises with the knowledge that the same is intended to be used as a brothel; or
   2. is wilfully a party to the use of such premises as a brothel,
      he shall be liable to be punished with -
1. imprisonment upto 2 years and fine upto Rs. 2,000/-, on first conviction; and
2. rigorous imprisonment upto 5 years and also fine, in the event of a second or subsequent conviction.

Presumption as to an offence under sub-section (2) shall be rebut table.
Any lease or agreement under which the aforesaid premises -

1. have been leased out, or
2. are held or occupied,

at the time of the commission of an offence either under sub-section 2(a) or under sub-section 2(b), shall stand void and inoperative with effect from the date of the conviction under sub-section (2).

4. Punishment for living on the earnings of prostitution. - (1) Any person over the age of eighteen years who knowingly lives, wholly or in part, on the earnings of the prostitution of  ¹[any other person] shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both ²[and where such earnings relate to the prostitution of a child or a minor, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years and not more than ten years].
   ³[(2) Where any person over the age of eighteen years is proved -
   1. to be living with, or to be habitually in the company of, a prostitute; or
   2. to have exercised control, direction or influence over the movements of a prostitute in such a manner as to show that such person is aiding, abetting or compelling her prostitution; or 
   3. to be acting as a tout or pimp on behalf of a prostitute,

   it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that such person is knowingly living on the earnings of prostitution of another person within the meanings of Sub-section (1).]

   COMMENTS

   Any person over the age of 18 years who knowingly lives on the earnings of the prostitution of any other person, shall be liable to be punished with -

   1. imprisonment upto 2 years, or
   2. fine upto Rs. 1,000/-, or
   3. imprisonment upto 2 years and fine upto Rs. 1,000/-.
      But, where such earnings relate to the prostitution of a child or a minor, the offender shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term of -
      1. not less than 7 years and 
      2. not more than 14 years.

      where it is proved that any person over the age of 18 years -

      1. is living with, or is habitually in the company of, a prostitute ; or
      2. has exercised control, direction or influence over the movements of a prostitute; or
      3. acts as a tout or pimp on behalf of a prostitute,
         it shall be presumed that he knowingly lives on the earnings of prostitution of another persons. However, such presumption shall be subjected to rebuttal.
5. Procuring, including or taking person for the sake of prostitution. -
   (1) Any person who -
   1. procures or attempts to procure a  ¹[person], whether with or without his consent, for the purpose of prostitution; or
   2. includes a  ¹[person]to go from any place, with the intent that he, may for the purpose of prostitution become the inmate of or frequent, a brothel; or
   3. takes or attempts to take a  ¹[person], or causes a ¹[ person] to be taken, from one place to another with a view to his carrying on or being brought up to carry on prostitution; or
   4. causes or induces a ¹[person] to carry on prostitution;

   ²[ shall be punishable on conviction with rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than seven years and also with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, and if any offence under this sub-section is committed against the will of any person, the punishment of imprisonment for a term of seven years shall extend to imprisonment for a term of fourteen years :
   Provided that if the person of whom an offence committed under this sub-section,-

   1. is a child, the punishment provided under this sub-section shall extend to rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years but may extend to life; and
   2. is a minor, the punishment provided under this sub-section shall extend to rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years and not more than fourteen years].

   ³X X X X X
   (3) An offence under this section shall be triable -

   1. in the place from which a ¹[person]is procured, induced to go, taken or caused to be taken or from which an attempt to procure or take such ¹[person] is made; or
   2. in the place to which he may have gone as a result of the inducement or to which he is taken or caused to be taken or an attempt to take him is made.

COMMENTS

Any person who -

1. procures or induces any person for the purpose of prostitution; or
2. takes, causes or induces any person to carry on prostitution, shall be punishable with-
   1. rigorous imprisonment for not less than 3 years but upto 7 years; and
   2. fine upto Rs. 2,000/-

   If an offence is committed against the will of any person, the offender shall be liable to be punished with the maximum  term of 7 years imprisonment but shall extend to that of 14 years.
   Proviso provides severe punishments for various aggravated offences committed under sub-section (1).
   Attempt to do any of the aforesaid acts also amounts to an offence.
   An offence shall be triable in the place either where the offence is committed or where it is completed.
   
   

   6. Detaining a person in premises where prostitution is carried on. -
      (1) Any person who detains  ²[any other person, whether with or without his consent], -
      1. in any brothel, or
      2. in or upon any premises with intent ²[that such person may have sexual intercourse with a person who is not the spouse of such person]
         shall be punishable ²[on conviction, with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may be for life or for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine :
         Provided that the court may, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgement, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than seven years].

      ³[(2) Where any person is found with a child in a brothel, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that he has committed an offence under sub-section (1).
      (2A) Where a child or minor found in a brothel, is on medical examination, detected to have been sexually abused, it shall be presumed unless the contrary is proved, that the child or minor has been detained for purposes of prostitution or, as the case may be, has been sexually exploited for commercial purposes].
      (3) A person shall be presumed to detain a woman or girl in a brothel or in or upon any premises for the purpose of sexual intercourse with a man other than her lawful husband, if such person, with intent to compel or induce her to remain there, -

      1. withholds  from her any jewellery, wearing apparel, money or other property belonging to her, or
      2. threatens her with legal proceedings if she takes away with her any jewellery, wearing apparel, money or other property lent or supplied to her by or by the direction of such person.

      (4) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against such woman or girl at the instance of the person by whom she has been detained, for the recovery of any jewellery, wearing apparel or other property alleged to have been lent or supplied to or for such woman or girl or to have been pledged by such woman or girl or the recovery of any money alleged to be payable by such woman or girl.

      COMMENTS

   Any person who detains any other person in any brothel, or in or upon any premises, for the purpose of prostitution, shall be liable to be punished with -

   1. imprisonment for not less than 7 years but upto for life; or
   2. imprisonment upto 10 years and also fine.

   Presumption created by sub-sections  (2), (2A) and (3)shall be rebuttable.
   Sub-section (4) affords protection to such a woman or girl as has been mentioned therein against any suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding.
    

   7. Prostitution in or in the vicinity of public places. ¹[(1) Any  ²[person], who carries on prostitution and the person with whom such prostitution is carried on, in any premises,-
      1. which are within the area or areas, notified under sub-section (3), or
      2. which are within a distance of two hundred metres of any place of public religious worship, educational institution, hostel, hospital, nursing home or such other public place of any kind as may be notified in this behalf by the Commissioner of Police or Magistrate in the manner prescribed,

      shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months].

      ¹[ (1A) Where an offence committed under sub-section (1) is in respect of a child or minor, the person committing the offence shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may be for life or for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine:
      Provided that the court may, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgement impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than seven years].
      (2) Any person who-

      1. being the keeper of any public place knowingly permits prostitution for purposes of their trade to resort to or remain in such place; or
      2. being the tenant, lessee, occupier or person in charge of any premises referred to in sub-section (1) knowingly permits the same or any part thereof to be used for prostitution; or
      3. being the owner, lessor or landlord, of any premises referred to in sub-section (1) or the agent of such owner, lessor or landlord, lets the same or any part thereof may be used for prostitution, or is wilfully a party to such use,

      shall be punishable on first conviction with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both, and in the event of a second or subsequent conviction with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and also with fine ²[which may extend to two hundred rupees, and if the public place or premises happen to be a hotel, the license for carrying on the business of such hotel under any law for the time being in force shall also be liable to be suspended for a period of not less than three months but which may extend to one year:

      Provided that if an offence committed under this sub-section is in respect of a child or minor in a hotel, such license shall also be liable to be cancelled.

      Explanation.- For the purposes of this sub-section, "Hotel" shall have the meaning as in clause (6) of Section 2 of the Hotel-Receipts Tax Act, 1980 (54 of 1980)].

      ¹[(3) The State Government may, having regard to the kinds of persons frequenting any area or areas in the State, the nature and the density of population therein and other relevant considerations, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that prostitution shall not be carried on in such area or areas as may be specified in the notification.
      (4) Where a notification is issued under sub-section (3) in respect of any area or areas, the State Government shall define the limits of such area or areas in the notification with reasonable certainity.
      (5) No such notification shall be issued so as to have effect from a date earlier than the expiry of a period of ninety days after the date on which it is issued.

      COMMENTS

   Sub-Section (1):
   Both a person who carries on prostitution and a person with whom prostitution is carried on, in any premises within the notified areas or in the vicinity of public places, shall be punishable with imprisonment upto 3 months.

   Sub-Section (1A): Any person who commits an offence under sub-section (1) is in respect of a child or minor, shall be punishable with -

   1. imprisonment for not less than 7 years but for life; or
   2. imprisonment upto10 years and also fine.
       
   8. Seducing or soliciting for purpose of prostitution. - Whoever, in any public place or within sight of, and in such manner as to be seen or heard from, any public place, whether from within any building or house or not -
      1. by words, gestures, wilful exposure of her person (whether by sitting by a window or on the balcony of a building or house or in any other way), or otherwise tempts or endeavours to tempt, or attracts or endeavours to attract the attention of, any person for the purpose of prostitution; or
      2. solicits or molests any person, or loiters or acts in such manner as to cause obstruction or annoyance to persons residing nearby or passing by such public place or to offend against public decency, for the purpose of prostitution,

      shall be punishable on first conviction, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both, and in the event of a second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five hundred rupees, and also with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees : 

      ¹[ Provided that where an offence under this section is committed by a man he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a period of not less than seven days but which may extend to three months.

      COMMENTS

   Any woman who-

   1. tempts, or attracts, or endeavours to tempt or attract the attention of, any person for the purpose of prostitution; or
   2. solicits or molests any person, or loiters or acts to cause obstruction or annoyance to persons or to offend against public decency,
      for the purpose of prostitution, shall be punishable with -
      1. imprisonment upto 6 months or fine upto Rs. 500/- or both, on first conviction; and 
      2. imprisonment upto 1 year and fine upto Rs. 500/-, in the event of a second or subsequent conviction.

      But, a man who commits any of offences under this section, shall be punishable with imprisonment for not less than 7 days but upto 3 months.
       

   9. Seduction of a person in custody. - ²X X X X Any person who ³[having the custody, charge or care of, or a position of authority over any ⁴[person], causes or aids or abets the seduction for prostitution of that  ⁴[person] ⁵[shall be punishable on conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may be for life or for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine:
      Provided that the court may, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgement, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than seven years].
      ⁶X X X X X 

   COMMENTS

   Any person who causes or aids or abets the seduction for prostitution of a person (in whose custody, charge or care such person is) shall be punishable with -

   1. imprisonment for a term of not less than 7 years but for life; or
   2. imprisonment upto 10 years and also fine.

   ⁷[10.  [ Release on probation of good conduct or after due admonition].
   Rep. by Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls (Amendment) Act, 1986 (44 of 1986), s. 13 (w.e.f. 26-1-1987).

   10A. Detention in a corrective institution. (1) Where-

   1. a female offender is found guilty of an offence under Section 7 or section 8, and
   2. the character, state of health and mental condition of the offender and the other circumstances of the case are such that it is expedient that she should be subjected to detention for such term and such instruction and discipline as are conducive to her correction,

   it shall be lawful for the court to pass, in lieu of a sentence of imprisonment, an order for detention in a corrective institution for such term, not being less than two years and not being more than five years, as the court thinks fit :

       Provided that before passing such an order -

   1. the court shall give an opportunity to the offender to be heard and shall also consider any representation which the offender may make to the court as to the suitability of the case for treatment in such an institution, as also the report of the probation officer appointed under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (20 of 1958); and
   2. the court shall record that it is satisfied that the character, state of health and mental condition of the offender and the other circumstances of the case are such that the offender is likely to benefit by such instruction and discipline as aforesaid.

   (2)  Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), relating to appeal, reference and revision and of the Limitation Act 1963 (36 of 1963), as to the period within which an appeal shall be filed, shall apply in relation to an order of detention under sub-section (1) as if the order had been a sentence of imprisonment for the same period as the period for which the detention was ordered.
   (3)  Subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf, the State Government or authority authorised in this behalf may, at any time after the expiration of six months from the date of an order for detention in a corrective institution if it is satisfied that there is a reasonable probability that the offender will lead a useful and industrious life, discharge her from such an institution, without condition or with such conditions as may be considered fit, and grant her a written license in such form as may be prescribed.
   (4)  The conditions on which an offender is discharged under sub-section (3) may include requirements relating to residence of the offender and supervision over the offender's activities and movements.

   COMMENTS

   The court may pass an order that a female offender who is found guilty of an offence under section 7 or 8, be detained in a corrective institution.

   Minimum term	Maximum term
   2 years	5 years

   The State Governments may discharge the detenu from a corrective institution at any time but not before 6 months from the date of an order for detention.
   
   

   11. Notification of address of previously convicted offenders. - (1) When any person having been convicted -
       1. by a court in India of an offence punishable under this Act or punishable under Section 363, Section 365, Section 366, Section 366A, Section 366B, Section 367, Section 368, Section 370, Section 371, Section 372 or Section 373 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), with imprisonment for a term of two years or upwards; or 
       2. by a court or tribunal in any other country of an offence which would, if committed in India, have been punishable under this Act or under any of the aforesaid sections with imprisonment for a life term,
          is within a period of five years after release from prison, again convicted of any offence punishable under this Act or under any of those sections with imprisonment for a term of two years or upwards by a court, such court may, if it thinks fit, at the time of passing the sentence of imprisonment on such person, also order that his residence, and any change of, or absence from such residence after release be notified according to rules made under Section 23 for a period not exceeding five years from the date of expiration of that sentence.
          (2) If such conviction is set aside on appeal or otherwise, such order shall become void.
          (3) An order under this section may also be made by an Appellate Court or by the High Court when exercising its powers or revision.
          (4) Any person charged with a breach of any rule referred to in sub-section (1) may be tried by a Magistrate of competent jurisdiction in the district in which the place last notified as his residence is situated.

   COMMENTS

   An order under Section 11 (1) -

   1. becomes void when it is set aside on appeal or otherwise;
   2. may also be made by an Appellate Court or by the High Court when exercising its powers of revision.
      The provisions apply to previously convicted offenders.
   12. [Security for good behaviour from habitual offenders.] Rep. by the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls (Amendment) Act, 1986 (44 of 1986) s. 13 (w.e.f. 26-1-1987).
        
   13. Special police officer and advisory body. - (1) There shall be for each area to be specified by the State Government in this behalf a special police officer appointed by or on behalf of that government for dealing with offences under this Act in that area.
       ¹[(2) The special police officer shall not be below the rank of an Inspector of Police.
       (2A) The District Magistrate may if he considers it necessary or expedient so to do, confer upon any retired police or military officer all or any of the powers conferred by or under this Act on a special police officer, with respect to particular cases or classes of cases or to cases generally :
       Provided that no such power shall be conferred on -
       1. a retired police officer unless such officer, at the time of his retirement, was holding a post not below the rank of an inspector;
       2. a retired military officer unless such officer, at the time if his retirement, was holding a post not below the rank of a commissioned officer].

       (3) For the efficient discharge of his functions in relation to offences under this Act-

       1. the special police officer of an area shall be assisted by such number of subordinate police officers (including women police officers wherever practicable) as the State Government may think fit; and
       2. the State Government may associate with the special police officer a non-official advisory body consisting of not more than five leading social welfare workers of that area (including women social welfare workers wherever practicable) to advise him on questions of general importance regarding the working of this Act.

       ²[(4) The Central Government may, for the purpose of investigating any offence under this Act or under any other law for the time being in force dealing with sexual exploitation of persons and committed in more than one State, appoint such number of police officers as trafficking police officers and they shall exercise all the powers and discharge all the functions as are exercisable by special police officers under this Act with the modification that they shall exercise such powers and discharge such functions in relation to the whole of India].

   COMMENTS

   The State Government is empowered to appoint any police officer not below the rank of an Inspector of Police as a special officer for dealing with offences under this Act in specified area.

   The Magistrate may confer upon any retired police or military officer all or any powers conferred on a special police officer with respect to particular cases or cases generally.

   A non-official advisory body may be associated with the special police officer to advise him on questions of general importance regarding the working of this Act.
   The Central Government has power to appoint any number of trafficking officers who shall exercise powers and discharge functions in relation to the whole of India.

   14. Offences to be cognizable. - Notwithstanding anything contained in  ¹[ the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 ( 2 of 1974)] any offence punishable under this Act shall be deemed to be a cognizable offence within the meaning of that Code:

       Provided that, notwithstanding anything contained in that Code,-

       1. arrest without warrant may be made only by special police officer or under his direction or guidance, or subject to his prior approval;

       2. when the special police officer requires any officer subordinate to him to arrest without warrant otherwise than in his presence any person for an offence under this Act, he shall give that subordinate officer an order in writing, specifying the person to be arrested and the offence for which the arrest is being made; and the latter officer before arresting the person shall inform him of the substance of the order and, on being required by such person, show him the order;

       3. any police officer not below the rank of  ²[ sub-inspector] specially authorised by the special police officer may, if he has reason to believe that on account of delay involved in obtaining the order of the special police officer, any valuable evidence relating to any offence under this Act is likely to be destroyed or concealed, or the person who has committed or is suspected to have committed the  offence is likely to escape, or if the name and address of such a person is unknown or there is reason to suspect that a false name or address has been given, arrest the person concerned without such order, but in such a case he shall report, as soon as may be, to the special police officer the arrest and the circumstances in which the arrest was made.

   COMMENTS

   Every offence punishable under this act shall be cognizable.
   Arrest without warrant can be made only by the special police officer or under his direction or guidance or subject to his prior approval.

   15. Search without warrant. - (1)  Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, whenever the special police officer  ¹[ or the trafficking police officer, as the case may be,] has reasonable grounds for believing that an offence punishable under this Act has been or is being committed in respect of a  ²[ person] living in any premises, and that search of the premises with warrant cannot be made without undue delay, such officer may, after recording the grounds of his belief, enter and search such premises without a warrant.
       (2)  Before making a search under sub-section (1), the special police officer ¹[ or the trafficking police officer, as the case may be,] shall call upon two or more respectable inhabitants (at least one of whom shall be a women) of the locality in which the place to be searched is situated, to attend and witness the search, and may issue an order in writing to them or any of them so to do :
       ³[Provided that the requirement as to the respectable inhabitants being from the locality in which place to be searched is situate shall not apply to a woman required to attend and witness the search].
       (3) Any person who, without reasonable cause, refuses or neglects, to attend and witness a search under this section, when called upon to do so by an order in writing delivered or tendered to him, shall be deemed to have co