IPC Section 293
⚖️ Legal Text of IPC Section 293:
Section 293. Sale, etc., of obscene objects to young person
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 (Section 292), or offers or attempts so to do, shall be punished:on first conviction, with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and 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.
🧾 Explanation:
Section 293 of the IPC is a protective legal provision that specifically deals with the prohibition of sale or distribution of obscene material to minors (persons under 20 years old).
It acts as an extension of Section 292, which defines and punishes the general sale and circulation of obscene materials (like pornography, vulgar books, images, etc.). Section 293 makes the act more serious when committed against young people, due to their impressionable age.
✅ Key Elements of Section 293:
Target Group:
Applies only when the obscene object is sold, hired, distributed, exhibited, or circulated to a person below 20 years of age.
Nature of the Object:
The object must be one that is already considered obscene under Section 292, which includes:
Books
Pamphlets
Papers
Drawings
Paintings
Figures
Photographs
Films or any other object considered sexually explicit or immoral by law.
Acts Prohibited:
Selling
Letting to hire
Distributing
Exhibiting
Circulating
Offering or attempting to do any of the above
Punishment:
First Offense:
Imprisonment: Up to 3 years
Fine: Up to ₹2000
Second/Subsequent Offense:
Imprisonment: Up to 7 years
Fine: Up to ₹5000
🧒 Why a Special Provision for Youth?
Youths are considered more vulnerable to the negative effects of obscene content.
The law presumes that early exposure to such materials may harm their moral development, mental health, and societal behavior.
Hence, stricter penalties are imposed to deter people from targeting or corrupting young minds.
👩⚖️ Example Scenario:
Suppose a person owns a shop selling adult magazines. If he sells such a magazine to a 19-year-old, he is in violation of Section 293, and not just Section 292.
If it’s the first time he’s caught, he could face up to 3 years in jail and a fine of ₹2000.
If he is caught doing it again in the future, he could face up to 7 years in jail and ₹5000 fine.
⚠️ Important Notes:
The section does not criminalize private possession of obscene objects unless it is for sale, distribution, etc., to minors.
It is often invoked alongside Section 292 and sometimes Section 294 (obscene acts in public).
The age limit (under 20 years) is higher than the general age of majority (18 years), recognizing the extended vulnerability of youth.
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