Seventy-two children forced into begging and dangerous street stunts on busy city roads were rescued in Ahmedabad. As many as 24 individuals were booked for allegedly forcing them into illegal activities, officials said on Wednesday. Cases under various sections of the Juvenile Justice Act were being filed against them, the civic body added.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), police, and Gujarat social welfare department officials jointly launched a drive, focusing on rescuing children forced into begging in various parts of the commercial city, the civic body said in a statement.
During the special drive, a total of 72 children were rescued from different parts of Ahmedabad. The rescued minors underwent a medical check-up and were presented before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for further action, said the civic body.
Later, 10 children were immediately shifted to a Child Welfare Home, and the 62 remaining kids were handed over to their parents and guardians with a strict warning not to force them into begging. In addition, 17 rescued men were produced before a court and shifted to beggar homes.
"Another 24 persons were rounded up for allegedly forcing children into begging in dangerous places such as traffic signals during busy hours, making them clean windows of vehicles, play dangerous games on roads, and forcing them into labour," said the AMC.
In 2024, the Delhi High Court asked the authorities to publicise child helpline number 1098 to deal with instances of child begging in the national capital.
While dealing with a PIL against child begging, the High Court was informed by the Delhi government that any person can report such an incident on the helpline, and a mechanism has been created to then counsel and send the child to either their parental home or a child care institution.
