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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court on Friday slammed the Aam Admi Party Government for not bringing the status report on record in a plea seeking direction to take requisite steps to eradicate child begging and related problems in and around Delhi.

A bench of Justice Chief Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad said, "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."

In view of the above, the Court has granted further time to the Delhi Government to ensure that the status report is on record and a copy of the same is provided to the petitioner. The Court has also allowed 2 weeks' time for the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights to file its response.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by one Ajay Gautam raising the issue- "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?"

The plea has also sought direction for the Delhi Police to identify and arrest the mafias/gangs who are behind the organized crime of sexual exploitation and using and/or pushing women using toddlers, teenage girls, and small children into begging and other related crimes.

Gautam informed the bench that child beggars can be almost everywhere in Delhi, most commonly at traffic signals, railway stations, bus stands, religious places, colleges, and popular markets.

It has been alleged that despite the presence of beggars in almost every part of the city, the department who is responsible for curbing this menace, has failed to take any remedial steps.

Furthermore, it has been stated that everyone knows that the begging mafia is actively behind this menace of begging by the children and in fact they kidnap, train, force, and torture innocent children for begging.

Case Title: Ajay Gautam Vs. DCPCR & Ors.