Report No. 64
2.4. Local legislation since 1923.-
In 1923, the Calcutta Suppression of Immoral Traffic and the Bombay Prevention of Prostitution Act were passed. The Calcutta Act was replaced by the Bengal Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act, 1930. In 1923, the Province of U.P. enacted legislation for the suppression of immoral traffic in women and girls. Punjab followed in 1935, and Mysore in 1936.
Heavy penalties were provided by these Acts for living on the earnings of prostitution, for keeping a brothel, for allowing premises to be used as brothel, for procuration, for unlawful detention for prostitution, for importing a female for prostitution and for encouraging or assisting in prostitution. Legislation dealing with specific aspects of prostitution may also be noted at this stage. For example, the U.P. Naik Girls Protection Act and the Bombay Devadasis Act were passed in 1929 and 1934, respectively. The Children Act passed in Bombay, Madras and Bengal gave some protection to boys and girls in moral danger.
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