PANAJI
A surge in child beggars during the peak tourist season along with reports of adult beggars using minors to gain sympathy from commuters has been brought to the attention of the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
Advocate Moses Pinto has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to address the exploitation of underprivileged children forced into begging at traffic signals across the State. The petition highlights that using children for begging violates Articles 21, 21A, and 24 of the Constitution, as well as statutory protections under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and relevant provisions of the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
“In early December 2024, the petitioner observed a surge in the presence of children begging at major traffic intersections across Goa, particularly in Margao, Panaji, and Mapusa; and documented cases of child exploitation by observing their interactions with motorists and gathering anecdotal accounts from locals. On December 24, 2024, there was an increase in the use of children for begging at traffic signals in Goa,” reads the PIL.
Pinto also submitted pictographic evidence to the High Court, showing adult beggars using minors to draw sympathy from motorists at the Verna-Vasco Birla Junction.
The PIL further raises critical concerns about the endangerment of children’s lives and dignity, the denial of free and compulsory education as guaranteed by Article 21A of the Constitution, and the State authorities’ failure to prevent child exploitation and ensure their welfare. It emphasized the urgent need for the rescue, rehabilitation and education of these children.
He thus sought judicial intervention to compel the respondent government and concerned departments to take effective and immediate measures to protect the fundamental rights of underprivileged children.
The relief sought included directives for the identification and rescue of children used for begging, the provision of temporary shelters and access to education, the establishment of a task force to monitor and prevent child exploitation, and periodic reporting by the Respondents on compliance with judicial directions.
