The High Court on Monday asked the Delhi government to respond to a plea seeking direction to the authorities to rescue over 1,000 minors trafficked from various parts of the country and forced to work as bonded labourers here.
A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notices to the Delhi government, the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. It listed the matter for July 18.
The petitioner, Rohtas, stated in the petition that he had sent 18 complaints to the authorities to conduct raids at various locations in Delhi and rescue 245 children and 772 adolescents who are being forced to work as bonded labourers in extremely unsafe and unhygienic conditions for 12-13 hours daily. The plea stated that most of the children were trafficked.
The plea stated that the initial complaints were sent to the authorities concerned more than two months ago, and multiple reminders were also sent to eight district magistrates and 16 sub-divisional magistrates, but no action had been taken.
The petitioner sought direction to the authorities to ensure that complaints related to child labourers, trafficking, and bonded labourers are investigated within 24 to 48 hours of the receipt of the complaint.
The Delhi government’s standing counsel submitted that Mr. Rohtas had not given proper addresses of the properties where child labourers are suspected to be working, making it difficult for the authorities to take action.
