Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Act

This Act may be cited as the Unlawful Carnal Know-ledge Act.

Any person who has or attempts to have carnal know-ledge of a girl under the age of 16 years except by way of marriage shall be guilty of an offence: Penalty, imprison-ment for a term which shall not be less than 2 years and not more than 7 years and to whipping not exceeding 24 strokes of the rattan in the case of an adult or 12 strokes of the rattan in the case of a youthful offender.

It shall be a sufficient defence to any charge under this Act that the person charged had reasonable cause to believe that the girl was of or above the age of 16 years.

The Court of a Magistrate shall have jurisdiction over offences under this Act and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary which may be contained in the Criminal Proce-dure Code, shall have power to impose the full penalty.

3 of 1938

(Cap. 29 of 1951)

S.188/81

Short title

Prohibition of carnal knowledge of girl under 16

years

Defence

Jurisdiction a