'Violation Of Articles 21, 21A' : Karnataka High Court Directs Survey Of Children Forced To Do Street Vending
The Karnataka High Court has directed the State Government and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to come out with a scheme to identify children who are forced to sell toys, flowers, etc at prominent places on the streets and traffic signals, in Bengaluru city. A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice S Vishwajith Shetty said "This is a serious issue as children...
The Karnataka High Court has directed the State Government and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to come out with a scheme to identify children who are forced to sell toys, flowers, etc at prominent places on the streets and traffic signals, in Bengaluru city.
A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice S Vishwajith Shetty said "This is a serious issue as children who are forced to undertake such activities are deprived of right under article 21-A. Moreover, if circumstances are forcing them to do this act it may be violation of Article 21 as well."
It added "The State Government and BBMP should come out with a scheme to identify such children and collection of data of said children. Once machinery for identifying is in place, appropriate directions can be issued for implementation of Juvenile Justice Act and Chapter VI, thereof (PROCEDURE IN RELATION TO CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION).
The bench issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by Letzkit Foundation. The court has directed the State government and BBMP to call prominent social organizations to carry out the survey. Before commencing survey, the scheme is to be placed before the court on the next date of hearing, November 30.