[Child Trafficking] Will you conduct discussion or register FIR? Karnataka High Court seeks personal presence of Bengaluru Police Commissioner

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday took exception to the casual approach of the State government in dealing with instances on forced child labour and child trafficking, proceeding to order the Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru) to inform the Court about a plan of action in dealing with such instances..A Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj asked the city's top cop to personally look into the issues and report to the Court on June 18 while remaining present for the hearing. ."On June 11, 2021, this Court was to consider the action on the basis on clause 7 of the report dated June 3, 2021 submitted by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA). Cartegory 7 deals with cases infants being carried by mothers/ caretakers either for begging or hawking and category 6 deals with Mafia forcing child beggary/ hawking as an alternative to begging. Notwithstanding the very detailed report submitted by KSLSA way back on 17th April, 2021 and report dated June 3, the State government has not taken any action. We direct the learned AGA to provide copies of all the reports to the Commissioner of Police of the city of Bengaluru who will personally look into all the aspects and report to the Court on 18th June about action taken by the State government.".We have identified 886 vulnerable children selling products at traffic signals from 432 hotspots: KSLSA tells Karnataka High Court.The Court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by NGO Letzkit Foundation, seeking prohibition of children from selling products at traffic junctions in Bengaluru..When the matter was taken up for hearing, the Court was apprised of issues about infants being carried by mothers/ caretakers either for begging or hawking. The Court was also told about mafia forcing child beggary/ hawking as an alternative to begging as mentioned in the report of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority report of June 3. ."Those who are doing all this, actually they have to be prosecuted," said a shocked CJ Oka. The Court also pulled up the State government for its casual approach in the matter. "FIR will have to be registered and now you (State government) are saying that meeting will be held. We will summon the Police Commissioner (Bangalore) to remain present in the Court. How can this be taken lightly by the government ?"These matters would be discussed at a meeting yet to be scheduled, said the counsel appearing for the State government. "There is no question of discussion. Now please tell us, suppose somebody comes to police and says that cognizable offence has been committed..Will Police call a meeting or register FIR and start investigation?" the Court demanded. Petitioner Advocate Maitreyi Krishnan prayed that that these instances of child trafficking be given to a special investigation team or to an Anti-Human Trafficking Unit. .Children being forced to beg/sell things is violation of Article 21A: Karnataka HC asks State for scheme on identification of destitute children ."Let State take a stand that these are things are to be taken casually, we (State) will tolerate all this. We will accept it. We are not forcing the State to accept the recommendations by KSLSA. State should be bold enough to say that you will not act upon it (instances of child trafficking)," the Court remarked. .The matter will be next heard on June 18.