Recently, Delhi High Court directed State government, to submit a detailed report concerning children entangled in legal conflicts who have been rescued and are currently accommodated in various rehabilitation centers. Furthermore, the Court directed government to check the measures they have implemented for the rehabilitation of these children and evaluate the enduring effects of these centers on the well-being of the children under their care.

A division bench comprising of CJ Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing a plea seeking direction to take requisite steps to eradicate child begging and related problems in and around Delhi.

“The Government of NCT of Delhi is also directed to file a detailed status report within six weeks providing information regarding children in conflict with law rescued by the Government and housed in various rehabilitation centres, steps taken by the Government for rehabilitation of such children and an assessment of long-term impact of such centres upon children in its care”, the court said in its order dated September 6.

Ajay Gautam, representing himself as the petitioner, argued that despite the implementation of numerous schemes and programs by various agencies, commissions, and government bodies, the problem of child begging continues to be prevalent in Delhi. He also emphasized the importance of scrutinizing the effectiveness of various rehabilitation measures in light of the continued prevalence of this serious social issue.

During the hearing, the bench note that a status report has been filed by the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), however, other parties have not been served with a copy thereof. “DCPCR is directed to serve copies of the status report within a week”, it ordered.

“DCPCR is directed to strictly comply with the order dated 10th May 2023, and furnish year-wise details of operations conducted by it from 2016 to date”, the bench ordered.

The matter will be taken up for further consideration on October 13.

Significantly, in December 2022, a bench led by the Chief Justice strongly criticized the Aam Admi Party Government for failing to submit the status report as requested in the plea. The bench, which also included Justice Subramonium Prasad, expressed its dissatisfaction with the government's actions.

The Government either doesn't file the response, doesn't provide a copy to the respondents or file a defective one, to delay the proceedings”.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by Gautam raising the issue as to "whether State is bound to perform its duties accordance with as enshrined in Section 13 (E) and (F) of The Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005?"

Allegations were made that, despite beggars being a common sight in nearly every corner of the city, the department responsible for addressing this issue had not undertaken any effective measures to combat it.

Additionally, it was claimed that the begging mafia played a significant role in perpetuating child begging. In fact, it was alleged that they engaged in activities such as kidnapping, training, coercion, and abuse of innocent children for the purpose of begging.

Case Title: Ajay Gautam v. DCPCR & Ors.