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The Maharashtra Devdasi System (Abolition) Act, 2005.

Maharashtra

An Act to provide for a comprehensive law to abolish the practice of dedication of women as Devdasis to Hindu deities, idols, objects of worship, temples or religious institutions, and to protect the women so dedicated against exploitation, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Act number
33 of 2006
Ministry
Govt of Maharashtra
Department
Women and Child Development Department
Enacted
11 Aug 2006

Source: IndiaCode Portal, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Open on India Code Check against the official text before relying on it.

22 sections

  1. Section 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. Section 2Definitions.
  3. Section 3Dedication as Devdasi unlawful.
  4. Section 4Marriage of Devdasi.
  5. Section 5Control Board.
  6. Section 6Powers, functions and duties of Control Board.
  7. Section 7Disqualification and removal of nominated members.
  8. Section 8Constitution of District Committee.
  9. Section 9Powers, functions and duties of District Committee.
  10. Section 10Devdasi Prevention Officers.
  11. Section 11Offences and penalties.
  12. Section 12Cognizance of offence.
  13. Section 13Limitation not to apply for taking cognizance.
  14. Section 14Procedure to be followed in tiral.
  15. Section 15Copy of information by police to be forwarded to District Committee.
  16. Section 16Copy of judgment to be forwarded to District Committee.
  17. Section 17Publication of fact of conviction, etc.
  18. Section 18Public servants.
  19. Section 19Protection of action taken in good faith.
  20. Section 20Power to make rules.
  21. Section 21Removal of difficulty.
  22. Section 22Repeal and saving.