Section 17. Prohibition of certain payments.

(1) No person shall receive or agree to receive any payment or other reward in consideration of the adoption of any person, and no person shall make or give or agree to make or give to any other person any payment or reward the receipt of which is prohibited by this section. (2) If any person contravenes the provisions of sub-section(1), he shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both. (3) No prosecution under this section shall be instituted without the previous sanction of the State Government or an officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf.