Bengaluru: Four Held for Forcing 13 Children to Beg; Kids Rescued

Four persons have been arrested for allegedly forcing 13 children to beg at traffic signals across Bengaluru. The children were rescued in a joint operation by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) Women Protection Wing and the Social Welfare Department on Monday.

The operation was carried out based on credible information about children being exploited for begging. Acting on the tip-off, the police raided makeshift huts set up on the footpath beneath a flyover near Kogilu Cross. The information indicated that persons from other States were residing there and allegedly using children to beg at traffic signals across the city.

During the raid, the police detained four persons and questioned them. According to the police, the four admitted during interrogation that they had kept the children with them and had made them beg to earn money. The accused were subsequently handed over to the Yelahanka police for further legal proceedings.

The 13 rescued children included toddlers and teenagers, police sources said. The police suspect that some of the children may have been rented out by their own parents to beg. This aspect is being investigated. The police are also looking into the circumstances under which the children were brought to Bengaluru.

The children were produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) along with a report for further action. The CWC will take steps to trace their biological parents and ensure their safety and rehabilitation. The committee is mandated under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, to protect the rights of children in need of care and protection.

Child begging is a serious form of exploitation and is prohibited under Indian law. The Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, explicitly prohibits the employment of children for begging and provides for stringent penalties for offenders. Under the Act, employing a child for begging is punishable with imprisonment and fine. The Act also provides for the rehabilitation of rescued children through Child Welfare Committees.

The CCB Women Protection Wing is tasked with investigating crimes against women and children, while the Social Welfare Department works to ensure the welfare of vulnerable sections, including children. Joint operations like this are aimed at rescuing children and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Despite laws, child begging persists in many urban areas due to poverty, lack of awareness, and organised networks. Authorities conduct regular drives to rescue children and prosecute offenders. The operation is part of ongoing efforts to prevent such exploitation and to identify those who force minors to beg for money.

Officials said that further legal action is expected following the police investigation and the CWC’s intervention. The case underscores the need for continued vigilance and coordinated action to protect children from exploitation. The police have urged citizens to report any instances of child begging or exploitation to the authorities.

Citizens who notice children begging, especially those who appear to be forced, should inform the police or child helpline 1098. Timely intervention can save children from exploitation. The rescued children are currently under the care of the CWC, which will ensure their well-being and take necessary steps for their future. The investigation is ongoing, and the police are working to uncover the full extent of the operation and any potential network involved.