Beyond Delhi: how law makes begging a crime

Among the 25 provisions struck down are those permitting the arrest, without a warrant, any person found begging, taking the person to court, conducting a summary inquiry and detaining the person for up to 10 years.

begging, beggary, decriminalised beggary, Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act, 1959, Delhi high court, Indian Express explained

The Act was formulated with the objective of keeping the streets of then Bombay clear of the destitute, leprosy patients or the mentally ill so they could be sent into institutions.

Last week, Delhi High Court decriminalised beggary by striking down, as unconstitutional, certain sections of the Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act, 1959, as extended to Delhi. There being no central Act on beggary, many states and Union Territories have used the Bombay Act as the basis for their own laws. The order, on a petition by Harsh Mander and Karnika Sawhney, is the first in the country to strike down provisions of the 1959 Act.

The order

Among the 25 provisions struck down are those permitting the arrest, without a warrant, any person found begging, taking the person to court, conducting a summary inquiry and detaining the person for up to 10 years. “People beg on the streets not because they wish to, but because they need to… The government has the mandate to provide social security for everyone, to ensure that all citizens have basic facilities, and the presence of beggars is evidence that the state has not managed to provide these to all its citizens,” ruled the Bench of Delhi Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar.

The roots

The Act was formulated with the objective of keeping the streets of then Bombay clear of the destitute, leprosy patients or the mentally ill so they could be sent into institutions. Section 10 (struck down) gives a chief commissioner powers to order the immediate, indefinite detention of any person detained in a certified institution who is considered “blind, a cripple or otherwise incurably helpless”.

What does not change

The court has not struck down provisions that do not treat beggary per se as an offence, including Section 11, which deals with penalty for employing or causing persons to beg. This addresses forced begging or “begging rackets”, which are used to justify retaining the Act. Activists advocating repeal of the Act, however, say that these can be dealt with existing provisions in the Indian Penal Code.

Precedents

The Centre made an attempt at repealing the Act through the Persons in Destitution (Protection, Care and Rehabilitation) Model Bill, 2016, with provisions including doing away with the Beggary Act and proposing rehabilitation centres for the destitute in each district. Some provisions allowed detention. Discussion on the Bill was halted in 2016.

Campaign against the law

Mohammed Tarique, director of Koshish, the field action project of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, says the Act violates the fundamental rights of the citizen. He calls for intervention in states such as Maharashtra, where the Census categorises 24,307 persons as “beggars” but where activists believe many more come under the purview of the Act. “There are 14 homes in the state for detention of beggars. Many of these homes remain without superintendents, probation officers or doctors. A few months ago, many were detained in Nashik and sentenced to one year imprisonment without proper trial showing disregard even to the existing law,” Tarique said.

While repealing the Act would require legislative and judicial intervention, Tarique suggests immediate alternative steps such as the Bihar government’s Mukhyamantri Bhikshavriti Nivaran Yojana, where Koshish is a knowledge partner. Instead of detaining persons under the Act, open homes were set up and community outreach for destitute persons was put in place. Now, rehabilitation centres have been set up, with facilities for treatment, family reintegration and vocational training.

Sadaf Modak

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More