The Delhi High Court on Tuesday pulled up the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) and the Delhi government over the delay in taking requisite steps to rehabilitate children who are affected by begging in the capital.
“You must have done excellent paper work…. The action should be visible also. We have to rehabilitate (and) relocate those children. We have to send them to schools. We have to give them proper food. We want result on the ground,” orally remarked a Bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad.
In lieu thereof, the Bench sought a detailed status report from the Centre, the Delhi Government and the DCPCR stating the steps taken zone-wise for rehabilitation of such children in the entire NCT region.
The petitioner, Ajay Gautam, moved the High Court last year highlighting the issue of child begging as is prevalent in the city. The plea sought a direction to the authorities to take appropriate steps for eradication of child begging and for strict implementation of the provisions contained in the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, which provide for protection of children from all spheres of exploitation.
The plea further sought for the identification of the number of destitute children who are involved or pushed into begging and to facilitate counselling and rehabilitation of such children. In addition, a direction was also sought to the Station House Officers (SHOs) of all Police Stations to take appropriate steps for preventing child begging in the areas under their jurisdiction and to appoint a beat officer or division officer in this regard.
The plea states: “Child beggars can be seen almost everywhere in Delhi, most commonly at traffic signals, railway stations, bus stands, religious places, colleges and popular markets………The department who is responsible for curbing this menace, has failed to take any remedial steps.”
“The Constitution of India both in part III and IV enshrines that nothing shall prevent the State from making every possible effort to provide best opportunities for development of children,” the plea adds.
During the course of hearing, the counsel appearing on behalf of DCPCR informed the court that it is carrying out periodical checks and taking steps to rehabilitate the children on streets in line with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place for care and protection of children in street situations.
The counsel representing the Centre and the Delhi Government submitted that they will take appropriate steps to rehabilitate such children and to also ensure compliance of SOP on the subject.
The matter will next be heard on December 2, 2022.