The Supreme Court on Saturday directed the government to ensure strict compliance of its directive to keep away children from performing in circuses and said any violation would be dealt with firmly.
A bench of justices Madan B Lokur and U U Lalit disposed a petition filed by NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan seeking direction to the government for rescue and rehabilitation of children below 14 years working in circuses.
The apex court directed state governments to constantly monitor the condition of children so that they were not exploited.
It also asked state governments to prepare a report on bonded labour, child labour and child trafficking and directed the Centre to analyse them.
The apex court, had in 2011, banned the employment of children in circuses and directed the government to rescue children and devise a rehabilitation programme for them.
