Section 342 in The City of Nagpur Corporation Act, 1948
342. Soliciting alms.
(1)Whoever, in any street or public place within the limits of the Corporation, begs for alms, or exposes, or exhibits with the object of exciting or extorting alms any deformity, disease or bodily ailment or any offensive sore or wound, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with a fine not exceeding fifty rupees, or with both.(2)If the Court finds that a person has committed an offence punishable under sub-section (1), it may, if in its opinion the person is unable to earn a livelihood owing to physical infirmity or debility, or is otherwise a fit person to be committed to a poor-house, in lieu of passing a sentence order that he may be committed to poor-house maintained by the Corporation or approved by the State Government, for such terms and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by rules made under this Act :Provided that no such order shall be made without giving the person in charge of the poor-house an opportunity to submit objections and be heard in support of them if he so desires.(3)If the person committed to a poor-house under subsection (2) escapes from it or commits a breach of any condition subject to which he was committed to the poor-house, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, or with both.(4)If the Court finds that the person who has committed an offence punishable under sub-section (1) was not born within the limits of the City or has not been continuously resident therein for more than one year, it may, in lieu of passing a sentence or order referred to in the aforesaid sub-sections, by order in writing direct the said person to leave the said limits within such time and by such route or routes as may be stated in the order and not to return thereto without the permission in writing of the District Magistrate. If the said person fails to comply with the order within the time specified therein, the Court may cause the said person to be removed beyond the limits of the City under such escort as it may direct.(5)If the said person returns within the limits of the City without the permission of the authority specified in subsection (4), he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, or with both.(6)Until and during the trial, a person accused of an offence under this section may be detained either in custody under section 344 of the [Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898] [Now read Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).], or in a poor-house, according as the Court may, from time to time, direct.(7)Notwithstanding anything contained in the [Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898] [Now read Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).], an offence punishable under this section shall be cognizable.
