Nineteen children were rescued from garment and artificial jewellery factories in east Delhi's Gandhi Nagar area, where they were allegedly made to work for as little as Rs 10 a day, an official said on Thursday, October 29. Nine factory owners have been apprehended and nine factories sealed in the crackdown, PTI reported.
Source: PTI (via Kalimpong News)
What the joint team found
The rescued children, aged between 10 and 17, had been brought to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and had allegedly been working in the factories for around eight months. Of the 19 children, 15 were employed in sewing and embroidery units, while four were engaged in packing artificial jewellery; one of the rescued children was a girl, a police officer said.
Source: PTI (via Kalimpong News)
During questioning, it emerged that two children worked from 7 am to 8 pm daily, slept inside the factory premises at night and resumed work the next morning. The children were allegedly paid between Rs 20 and Rs 200 per week. The youngest, a 10-year-old boy, received just Rs 10 a day, which he used to buy snacks and chocolates instead of being provided proper food, the report said.
How the raid was carried out
According to the FIR, a joint team comprising the sub-divisional magistrate, the tehsildar, the Labour Department, Delhi Police, the Association for Voluntary Action (AVA), Basic Foundation and Bal Vikas Dhara conducted the raids. The crackdown followed specific information received by government authorities, police and the AVA about children being employed in the manufacturing units. Delhi's daily news briefing on Friday also carried the rescue, recording that Delhi Police conducted the Gandhi Nagar operation on October 29 and that nine factory owners were taken into custody.
Source: Latestly (Delhi news briefing, Oct 30)
What is solid
- 19 children aged 10–17, including five below 14, were rescued from units in Gandhi Nagar, east Delhi
- Nine factories were sealed and nine owners apprehended, officials said
- The raid was conducted by a joint team of the administration, Labour Department, Delhi Police and voluntary groups, according to the FIR
What is only claimed
- The allegations against the individual owners — the children's employment and pay are allegations recorded in the FIR and officials' accounts, and the owners' side has not been reported
- Whether the children were trafficked or brought by intermediaries — the reports say they were brought from UP and Bihar but do not establish by whom
What happens next
The case now proceeds on the basis of the FIR registered in the matter. The reports did not specify where the rescued children were placed after the raid or what charges each apprehended owner faces; those details are expected as the investigation continues. No child has been named or identified in any report, in line with the protection owed to minors.