[Premium] Begging in India – Legal Status in light of court verdicts

From Current Affairs Notes for UPSC » Editorials & In-depths » This topic

In August 2018, Delhi High Court decriminalized beggary by striking down some sections of the Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act, 1959, as extended to Delhi.

What is the background?

Begging is a crime in twenty states and two union territories of India. It is treated as a cognizable and non-bailable offense. Presently, there is not a single uniform law on begging & destitution and several states have adopted the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959.

Some stats

India has 4,13,670 beggars in 2015 (Census 2011). West Bengal tops the list with 81,000 beggars. Some studies points out that 99% men and 97% women resort to beggary. This number fell 41% since the last Census of 2001, which noted the number of beggars at 6.3 lakh.