Introduction

Bill No. 58 of 1954
With a view to implement International Convention signed at New York on the 9th May, 1950, " THE SUPPRESSION OF IMMORAL TRAFFIC IN WOMAN AND GIRLS BILL, 1950" was introduced in the Lok Sabha on the 20th December, 1954, by the then Minister K.N. Katju.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS²:

1. In 1950 the Government of India ratified an International Convention for the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of others. Under Article 23 of the Convention, traffic in human beings is prohibited and any contravention of the prohibition is an offence punishable by law. Under Article 35 such a law has to be passed by Parliament as soon as may be after the commencement of the Constitution.
   
2. Legislation on the subject of suppression of immoral traffic does exist in a few States but the laws are neither uniform nor do they go far enough. In the remaining States there is no bar on the subject at all.
   
3. In the circumstances it is necessary and desirable that a Central law should be passed which will not only secure uniformity but also would be sufficiently deterrent for the purpose. But a special feature of the Bill is that it provides that no person or authority other than the State Government shall establish or maintain any protective home except under a license issued by the State Government. This will check the establishment of homes which are really dens for prostitution."

REPORT OF SELECT COMMITTEE:

The Select Committee submitted "THE SUPPRESSION OF IMMORAL TRAFFIC IN WOMEN AND GIRLS BILL, 1956 (58A of 1956) along with its Report dated 20/11/1956 to the Lok Sabha on the 21st November, 1956.

PRINCIPAL ACT

The Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Bill, 1954 as amended by the Select Committee vide its Bill No.58 of 1956 and as passed by Parliament received the assent of the President and soon thereafter became an Act of Parliament under the Short title and Number "THE SUPPRESSION OF IMMORAL TRAFFIC IN WOMEN AND GIRLS ACT, 1956 (104 of 1956)" on the 31st December, 1956.

Sections 2 to 25 of the Act came into force in the whole of India on the Ist May, 1958, vide the Central Government's Notification No.GSR 269 dated 14/4/1958.

The Act was extended,-

1. to the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Section 2/Sch. I of the Dadra Nagar Haveli (Laws) Regulation, 1963 (6 of 1963);
2. to the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu by Section 2/Sch.of the Goa, Daman and Diu (Laws) No.2 Ordinance, 1963 (11 of 1963); and
3. to the Union Territory of Pondicherry by the Pondicherry (Extension of Laws) Act, 1968 (28 of 1968).

LIST OF AMENDING ACTS:

1. The Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls (Amending) Act, 1978 (46 of 1978) w.e.f. 2/10/1979.
2. The Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls (Amendment) Act, 1986 (44 of 1986) w.e.f. 26/1/1987.

PRESENT SHORT TITLE:

As a result of substitution of the words "Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act" for the words "Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act" made by Section 3 of the Amending Act No. 44 of 1986, the Principal Act was shorttitled as THE IMMORAL TRAFFIC (PREVENTION) ACT, 1956 (104 OF 1956).