Child Labour: HC seeks response of Centre, Delhi Govt, Police

A bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and justice D K Jain issued notice after the petitioner connected the issue with the recent gangrape of 23-year-old girl in the moving bus and claimed that the juvenile allegedly involved in the case has been a victim of child labour since past 11 years.

With the plea alleging "lackadaisical approach" of the authorities, the court questioned as to why its directions for implementing the action plan of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and other government departments were not carried out.

The court has kept the matter for January 16 for further proceedings.

The PIL alleged that the government agencies do not have any plausible reason for not implementing the July 15, 2007 directions of the high court by which 500 child labourers should be rescued every month keeping in mind the capacity of children homes.

The PIL said failure to comply with the directions have resulted in child labourers growing up as "anti-social elements".

"In the December 16 Delhi gangrape case, it has come to light that one of the six accused who is a juvenile has been a victim of child labour since past 11 years.

"It is submitted that had the judgement of July 15, 2007 been implemented in letter and spirit, the juvenile in question would have been rescued and rehabilitated and the unfortunate event which has shook the conscience of the entire nation may have been averted," the petition filed by NGO, Save the Child Foundation, said. (More)