HC seeks response from Delhi govt, rights bodies as PIL seeks rescue of ‘bonded child labourers’

The bench said it has “no doubt that the administration will take action in accordance with (the) law forthwith”.

The petitioner Rohtas, who is stated to support the work of NGO ‘Sahyog Care For You’ sought direction to the authorities to conduct raids and rescue 245 children and 772 adolescents, claiming that they were being forced to work as “bonded labour”.

The counsel appearing for the petitioner argued that the petitioner had sent 18 complaints to eight district magistrates (DMs) and 16 sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs). However, only three of them had responded to the petitioner’s complaints.

It was also submitted that it had been over two months since the complaints were first sent and multiple reminders were also sent to the DMs and SDMs concerned. But “no action has been taken yet”, said the petitioner, adding that the statutory timeline for undertaking action is not being met.

The matter has been listed for the next hearing on July 18.