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JK only state where prostitution is legal 4/21/2015 11:41:10 PM Early Times Report Srinagar, Apr 21: Even as the politicians and the civil society seek protection of women against sexual exploitation at their work places, Jammu and Kashmir continues to be the only state in the sub-continent where prostitution is legal. According to the Public Prostitutes Registration Rules, 1921, a prostitute can carry on her trade legally if she registers herself with the District Magistrate. She has to fill in a simple application form, file it in person and pay Rs 5 as fee, and the minimum money which she can charge is Rs 15. A top government official preferring annonymity admitted that the rules are still in force and could be invoked. Sanctioned by the Darbar of the then Maharja Partap Singh vide Chief Minister's letter No 17197, dated February 12, 1921, these rules were first published in Government Gazette of the same year. The rules define a public prostitute as ''a woman who earns her livelihood by offering her person to lewdness for hire.'' The rules also allow for the role of a brothel keeper and define him or her as ''the occupier of any house, room, tent, boat, or place resorted to by person of both sexes for the purpose of committing sexual immorality,'' the official said. However, the brothel keeper has to ensure that he does not keep the prostitutes who are not registered with the Government. Though the State tries its sex offenders under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA) and the sections of its own Ranbir Penal Code, the rules of 1921 have not been repealed. The rules are still published in J&K Laws, the State's statute book. The legislators irrespective of the party they owe allegiance to owe an explanation to the people of the state for their shameful silence over the rules that legalize prostitution in the state.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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