Forced begging now non-bailable offence
The Punjab Home Department has sent amendments to the anti-rape law to the Cabinet for approval.
According to the spokesman of the Punjab Home Department, under the new law, forced begging has been declared a non-bailable offence.
The spokesperson said that those who force children, the elderly and women to beg will be severely punished, while the gang leaders of beggar mafias will face 10 years of imprisonment with a fine of 20 lakh rupees. In case of non-payment of fine, three additional years of punishment will have to be served.
Similarly, apart from forcing children to beg, those you physically harm minors are also in for a tough time.
The Home Department noted that previously, there was no law to punish the gang leaders of the beggar mafia.