Thaindian News

New Delhi, March 21 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Monday came down heavily on sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Geeta Colony in east Delhi for poor handling of an NGO-led operation to rescue 22 child labourers from a brocade unit early this month.

Volunteers of NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan were attacked by local goons while rescuing the child labourers from the unit in Jheel Khureji area March 17. The court said the SDM did not communicate the plan to police before the raid.

Directing police to arrest all absconding attackers, Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna ordered action against the owners of factories and establishments employing children.

The court said: “The SDM was supposed to be a responsible officer but he did not communicate the plan to police before conducting the raid to rescue the children from different units which has resulted in this disaster.”

“They should have approached positively… the rescue of children. The officials have not done the rescue work in an informative way,” said the court.

“The mafias had come with a purpose to take away the children and created furore among the rescuers. They were able to succeed in their purpose,” said the court.

SDM V.P. Singh informed the judges that he had gone to the raid spot in his official car while the NGO volunteers, along with four policemen, had gone there in two private vehicles.

“After the rescue of 22 children, who were brought to the labour office, a huge crowd surrounded the vehicles and then assaulted the volunteers,” said Singh.

The court was hearing a plea filed by the NGO. Volunteers from the Bachpan Bachao Andolan, along with the SDM, raided different east Delhi units and rescued 22 children March 17. Another 20 child workers could not be rescued due to the attack by goons.

Delhi Police chief B.K. Gupta, who was present in court along with officials from the Delhi government, said that the SDM had not informed the area deputy commissioner of police about the rescue operation.

The SDM did not seek additional police force at the time of rescue operation, Gupta said.

Assuring the court of providing adequate number of personnel for such operations in future, the police chief suggested preparatory meetings between area SDM, social workers and police before conducting such raids.

Appearing for police, Additional Solicitor General A.S. Chandhiok said eight people allegedly involved in the attack were arrested and more were likely to be held.

The court asked the police commissioner and a senior labour department official to submit a status report on the incident.

The judges also told the government to comply with its previous order and constitute a steering committee headed by the chief secretary in compliance with a scheme framed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights to stop such incidents.