Section 141 BNS: Importation of girl or boy from foreign country
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 141 BNS at a Glance
Section 141 BNS deals with importation of girl or boy from foreign country. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by the Court of Session; it replaced Section 366B IPC on 1 July 2024.
Imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years
Section 141 BNS Bare Act Text
141. Importation of girl from foreign country
Whoever imports into India from any country outside India any girl under the age of twenty-one years or any boy under the age of eighteen years with intent that girl or boy may be, or knowing it to be likely that girl or boy will be, forced or seduced to illicit intercourse with another person, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine.
Source: Section 141, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 141 BNS in Simple Words
Section 141 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with the importation of a girl or boy from a foreign country. It applies where a girl under 21 years of age or a boy under 18 years of age is brought into India from any country outside India, with the intent or knowing it to be likely that the girl or boy will be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse with another person. The law targets not only the person who physically brings the victim in, but also anyone who knowingly arranges or facilitates such importation. This provision is meant to stop cross-border trafficking and sexual exploitation at an early stage.
The offence is complete once the girl or boy is imported for that unlawful purpose, even if the intended exploitation has not yet taken place. In practice, this section helps police and prosecutors act against trafficking networks, agents, and middlemen who use foreign movement to hide exploitation. It is a serious offence because it protects young women and minor boys from being trafficked into sexual abuse through deception, coercion, or organised arrangements.
Ingredients of Section 141 BNS
- Importing into India from any country outside India any girl under twenty-one years of age or any boy under eighteen years of age
- Intent that the girl or boy may be, or knowing it to be likely that the girl or boy will be, forced or seduced to illicit intercourse with another person
- Imprisonment which may extend to ten years and liability to fine under Section 141 BNS
Punishment Under Section 141 BNS
Imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years
Liable to fine
Section 141 BNS punishes importing into India from any country outside India any girl under twenty-one years of age or any boy under eighteen years of age for illicit intercourse with imprisonment which may extend to ten years, and the offender is also liable to fine. The offence is cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by the Court of Session. It is not compoundable.
Example of Section 141 BNS
When Section 141 BNS Does Not Apply
- The girl imported into India is twenty-one years of age or older, or the boy imported is eighteen years of age or older, at the time of entry
- Movement of the young person occurs entirely within the territorial boundaries of India without foreign importation
- The importation is for travel, education, or employment without any intent or knowledge regarding illicit intercourse
- The young person travels independently without any act of importation by the accused
Section 141 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)
Section 141 BNS replaces Section 366B IPC from the old criminal code.
Section 366B IPC corresponds to Section 141 BNS, entitled Importation of girl or boy from foreign country. Two key substantive changes are introduced: first, the territorial carve-out referencing the State of Jammu and Kashmir is omitted; second, the scope is expanded to include any boy under eighteen years of age alongside any girl under twenty-one years of age. The prescribed penalty of imprisonment extending up to ten years and liability to fine continues without alteration.
View IPC Section 366B →FAQs on Section 141 BNS
What does Section 141 BNS punish?▼
It punishes bringing a girl under 21 years of age or a boy under 18 years of age into India from a foreign country with the intent or knowledge that the girl or boy will likely be forced or seduced into illicit intercourse with another person. The focus is on the unlawful purpose behind the importation. Mere travel is not enough unless the required intent or knowledge is present.
Under Section 141 BNS, does the law require that the girl or boy actually be exploited?▼
No. The offence is made out once the girl or boy is imported for the prohibited purpose. Actual sexual exploitation is not necessary if the prosecution can prove the intention or knowledge behind the act.
Is the offence under Section 141 BNS bailable?▼
No, it is treated as a non-bailable offence. Police can investigate it as a cognizable offence, which means action can begin without a magistrate's prior order.
What is the current law for the offence under Section 141 BNS?▼
Section 141 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 is the current law governing this offence. It protects girls under 21 years of age and boys under 18 years of age from being imported from outside India for illicit intercourse, and prescribes imprisonment up to 10 years and liability to a fine.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·