Section 371 IPC: Habitual dealing in slaves

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 371 IPC at a Glance

Section 371 IPC deals with habitual dealing in slaves. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by the Court of Session; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 145 BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court of Session ⓘ

BNS Equivalent

Section 145 →

Section 371 IPC Bare Act Text

371. Habitual dealing in slaves
Whoever habitually imports, exports, removes, buys, sells, traffics or deals in slaves, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Source: Section 371, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 371 IPC in Simple Words

Section 371 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes habitual dealing in slaves. It criminalises habitually importing, exporting, removing, buying, selling, trafficking, or dealing in slaves.

The offence carries imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and the offender is also liable to fine. The offence is cognizable, non-bailable, and triable exclusively by the Court of Session.

Ingredients of Section 371 IPC

Habitual conduct by the accused
Importing, exporting, removing, buying, selling, trafficking, or dealing in slaves

Punishment Under Section 371 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years

Fine

Liable to fine

Non-Bailable ⓘCognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Court of Session ⓘ

Section 371 IPC punishes habitual dealing in slaves with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and liability to fine. Proceedings are cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by the Court of Session. The offence is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Example of Section 371 IPC

Between 2014 and 2018, Mahendra regularly bought and sold captive labourers as slaves across rural districts near Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. He treated the captives as his own property, confining them in outhouses and transferring ownership of them to estate owners for fixed prices. Police raided his compound in 2018 and recovered bank records and written agreements proving twelve separate occasions on which Mahendra bought, removed, and sold human beings as slaves. Because Mahendra habitually bought, removed, sold, and dealt in slaves, Mahendra is punishable under Section 371 IPC.

When Section 371 IPC Does Not Apply

Section 371 IPC does not apply where the accused committed only a single, isolated act of buying or selling a slave rather than doing so habitually.
Section 371 IPC does not apply when the persons involved were not held, bought, sold, or treated as slaves.
Section 371 IPC does not apply to harsh employment or unpaid labour arrangements where the workers are not imported, exported, removed, bought, sold, trafficked, or dealt in as slaves.

Section 371 IPC in the BNS

Section 371 IPC is now covered under Section 145 BNS.

Section 371 IPC is now Section 145 BNS. The statutory heading, text, and prescribed punishment of imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years and liability to fine remain identical in substance.

View detailed comparison (IPC 371 vs BNS 145) →

FAQs on Section 371 IPC

What does Section 371 IPC punish?▼

Section 371 IPC punishes habitually importing, exporting, removing, buying, selling, trafficking, or dealing in slaves.

What acts of dealing are specified under Section 371 IPC?▼

The section specifies importing, exporting, removing, buying, selling, trafficking, or dealing in slaves as a habitual practice.

What does habitual mean in Section 371 IPC?▼

Habitual requires evidence of repeated, regular, or customary transactions rather than a single isolated transaction.

What punishment is prescribed under Section 371 IPC?▼

Section 371 IPC provides for imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and liability to fine.

Is Section 371 IPC bailable?▼

No; Section 371 IPC is non-bailable under the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Is an offence under Section 371 IPC cognizable?▼

Yes; Section 371 IPC is cognizable, meaning police officers can arrest without a warrant.

Which court conducts trials for Section 371 IPC?▼

Offences under Section 371 IPC are triable exclusively by the Court of Session.

Can an offence under Section 371 IPC be compounded?▼

No; Section 371 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Which section corresponds to Section 371 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

The corresponding provision in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is Section 145 BNS.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·