Indore (Madhya Pradesh): A bike rider in Indore has been booked for allegedly giving Rs 10 to a beggar, violating the city's ban on begging and almsgiving, police reported on Tuesday. This is the second such case in the city within two weeks.

An FIR has been lodged against the unidentified bike rider under Section 223 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for offering alms to a beggar outside a temple in the Lasudia police station area on Monday. 

The complaint was filed by an officer from the Beggary Eradication Team. Under this section, offenders may face up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of Rs 5,000, or both.

Indore aims to become beggar-free city

Indore aims to become India’s first beggar-free city. For the same, the authorities have enforced a legal prohibition on begging, giving alms, and purchasing goods from them. 

A similar case was registered on January 23 when an unidentified person gave money to a beggar outside a temple on Khandwa Road.

600 beggars rescued till date

According to Phool Singh, an officer from the Beggary Eradication Team, over 600 beggars have been placed in shelter homes for rehabilitation in the past six months, and around 100 children have been sent to childcare institutions. 

He noted that many individuals were begging under the guise of selling small items like balloons at traffic signals.

Additionally, the administration has announced a Rs 1,000 reward for those providing information about begging activities in the city. The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has also launched a pilot project to make 10 cities across India beggar-free.