Whoever sells, lets to hire, distributes, exhibits or circulates to any person under the age of twenty years any such obscene object as is referred to in the last preceding section, or offers or attempts so to do, shall be punished 1on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, and, in the event of a second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and also with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.
IPC Section 293: Simplified Explanation
IPC Section 293 deals with the sale, distribution, and circulation of obscene objects to young persons. This section aims to protect minors from being exposed to obscene materials that may harm their morals and development.
Key Points of IPC Section 293:
- Offence Description: The section specifies that anyone who sells lets to hire, distributes, exhibits, or circulates any obscene object to any person under the age of twenty years, or offers or attempts to do so commits an offence.
- Objective: The primary objective is to prevent the corruption of minors by prohibiting the exposure of young persons to materials that could be considered obscene and harmful.
- Scope: This section covers various forms of obscene objects, including books, pamphlets, papers, drawings, paintings, representations, or figures.
- Protection of Minors: The law specifically targets the protection of individuals under twenty years of age, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the younger population from exposure to potentially harmful content.
Is IPC Section 293 bailable?
Yes, offences under IPC Section 293 are generally bailable. This means an individual accused of this offence can secure bail as a matter of right and does not require the court’s discretion. The person can be released from custody after providing bail.
IPC Section 293 Punishment
- First Conviction: For a first-time offence, the punishment includes imprisonment of either description for a term that may extend to three years and a fine that may extend to two thousand rupees.
- Subsequent Convictions: For any subsequent offence, the punishment is more severe. The offender faces imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, along with a fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.
The increasing severity of punishment for repeat offenders underscores the law’s intent to deter the repeated circulation of obscene materials to minors.
Example of IPC Section 293
Consider a case where a shopkeeper sells explicit adult magazines to a 19-year-old customer. If the shopkeeper is caught and prosecuted under IPC Section 293, they would be charged with the sale of obscene objects to a person under twenty years of age.
- First Conviction: If it’s the shopkeeper’s first offence, they might be sentenced to up to three years in prison and fined up to two thousand rupees.
- Subsequent Convictions: If the shopkeeper had previous convictions for similar offences, the punishment could escalate to up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to five thousand rupees.
This example highlights how the law is enforced to protect young persons from exposure to obscene materials and the legal consequences for those who violate this provision.
