While referring to a survey conducted in Mumbai to asses the number of street children, the Bombay High Court on Thursday suggested the State government that a similar study can be carried out in other cities as well.
A division bench of Justices V.M. Kanade and M.S. Sonak said there was a survey conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, which revealed that there were about 39,000 street children in the city. The court was hearing a bunch of public interest litigations seeking accommodation and rehabilitation of children begging on the roads.
Senior counsel Mihir Desai, appointed as amicus curie , also mentioned a letter written by retired HC judge B.H. Marlapalle to the Chief Justice of the Bombay HC in August last year. The letter stated said, “It is a common site while driving on the streets of Mumbai, Thane and Pune, as well as other cities in Maharashtra that young children between the age of 3 to 14 are seen begging. It is noticed that these children are pushed into in begging at the cost of their education which has been guaranteed under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution.” Mr. Marlapalle had urged the CJ to pass appropriate direction to the State and Director General of Police and other competent authorities to pick up the children and admit them in remand homes. He had also asked for steps to be taken for their education and well being.
The court asked the State to look into the possibility of a mafia controlling street children, and submit the findings. In the previous hearing, another division bench had directed the State to come up with a comprehensive policy to rehabilitate these children, and said that it was the State’s duty to look after destitute children.
Mr. Desai said the matter needs to be heard at length, and therefore the case was adjourned till July 6.
In an earlier hearing, the HC had said that it was the State’s responsibility to look after destitute children
