The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the city government to respond to a plea requesting action to rescue over 1,000 minors trafficked from various parts of India and forced into bonded labour in Delhi.
Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notices to the Delhi government, Department of Revenue, Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, scheduling the matter for July 18.
The petitioner, Rohtas, supporting the NGO ‘Sahyog Care For You’, filed a PIL stating that 18 complaints had been sent to authorities urging raids on properties in Delhi. These efforts aimed to rescue 245 children and 772 adolescents working in hazardous conditions, enduring long hours daily.
Most children, trafficked and living with their employers, face perilous conditions detrimental to their health and growth, the plea highlighted. During the hearing, Delhi government’s counsel Santosh Kumar Tripathi noted the lack of proper addresses for suspected locations of child labour, making it challenging for authorities to act.
Responding to petitioner concerns about administrative delays despite multiple reminders, Tripathi assured a meeting with the Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) on Monday. The bench expressed confidence in prompt administrative action, citing past court rulings on the matter.
The PIL emphasized that despite two months passing since initial complaints, no action had been taken by the administration, contrary to legal mandates requiring rescue within 24 to 48 hours in such cases. The petitioner urged urgent action for identification, rescue, rehabilitation of victims, and prosecution of perpetrators involved in child bonded labour.
The plea sought a court directive to ensure investigations within 24 to 48 hours of receiving complaints related to child labour, bonded labour, or trafficking.
