Child Labour: Delhi Govt Rescued Over 200 Children Since January, High Court Told

The Delhi High Court was informed on Monday that the Delhi government has rescued more than 200 children employed as child labourers in the national capital since January and that further raid operations are ongoing.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sachin Datta was hearing a plea moved by Bachpan Bachao Andolan highlighting the plight of children working in factories housed in extremely small units stuffed with inflammable materials.

The petition was moved in light of an incident of December 8, 2019, where a massive fire ripped through a building in city’s Anaj Mandi in Sadar Bazar, resulting in death of 43 persons, including 12 children aged between 12 to 18 years.

Advocate Prabhsahay Kaur appearing for Bachpan Bachao Andolan informed court that since the order was passed on January 11 for constitution of committees in each district, more than 200 children have been rescued by the government.

She also submitted that out of the 183 complaints filed by the NGO, the authorities have taken action in most of them. However, she added that action has not been taken in 55 complaints.

On the other hand, Delhi government’s counsel Satyakam informed court that pursuant to the last order, a status report has been filed in the matter.

He submitted that the process of raid is continuing and sought four weeks time to file a further status report.

Allowing the request, the court listed the matter for hearing next on May 04.

In January, the bench had said that children, who are found to be working in such units, should be rescued and the directions given by court on September 20, 2019, must be complied with. A coordinate bench in 2019 had issued various directions to Delhi Government to deal with the issue of child labour.

Taking a stern view of the matter, the court had said that children who ought to have been studying in schools are forced to work in places which are unhygienic, inhabitable and accidents which are waiting to happen.

It also expressed concern on working of the units “right under the nose of the Government” including the police officers “who are aware of such factories being run” and yet no steps are being taken by the State to curb the menace.

Title: BACHPAN BACHAO ANDOLAN v. GNCTD & ORS