Child begging a serious issue, says HC

The Delhi High Court has raised concern over the issue of child begging in the capital while hearing a PIL seeking elimination of the practice and identification of exact number of destitute children who are subjected to begging.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice P.S. Teji asked the Delhi government counsel to find out whether a similar matter is pending before the Supreme Court as it posted the next hearing on the matter for Jan 7.

"It is a serious and important issue, but the matter is seized by the Supreme Court. Find out whether the matter is being monitored by the Supreme Court," said the bench hearing a plea filed by Ajay Gautam seeking direction to construct and maintain homes for children who are found begging and to check the current facilities entrusted with the same work.

The plea sought authorities, which are accountable for protection of child rights, to review the measures already in existence to stop incidences related to begging with respect to children.

"One hand, the Indian government has enacted a variety of legislations for uplift of children. However, on the other hand, the government has failed to ensure that children do not beg, do not remain homeless and get rid of the evils prevalent in society which come in their way of overall development," the plea said.

The plea further sought directions to government to make proper facilities for proper education of children who are found begging.

Delhi Police should properly investigate every case with respect to child begging and to properly enquire the whereabouts if children who are found begging, it added.

It further claimed that there is no official data on the number of beggars in Delhi.