Citywide operation shocks officials; targeted checks at markets, godowns, stations and construction sites
Bengaluru — A special anti-child labour operation conducted across all police divisions in the city on Saturday led to the rescue of 503 children who were allegedly engaged in labour, the office of the Commissioner of Police said on Saturday. The drive, carried out by teams from 12 divisions following directions of City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, resulted in the registration of 18 cases against shop owners under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, according to a PTI report circulated by police.
According to the police statement, teams comprising police officers and labour inspectors inspected a wide range of premises — including godowns, marketplaces, hotels, lodges, bakeries, bus stops, railway stations, apartments and construction sites — operating within the jurisdiction of city police stations. In the special operation, authorities checked a total of 5,897 premises.
- Total premises checked: 5,897
- Children rescued: 503
- FIRs registered: 18 (against shop owners)
The raids were carried out division-wise, with the police providing a breakdown of children rescued from each area. The Central division reported the highest single-division figure.
| Division | Children rescued |
|---|---|
| Central | 63 |
| South | 54 |
| West | 84 |
| North | 62 |
| Southwest | 17 |
| Northwest | 14 |
| East | 71 |
| Northeast | 55 |
| Southeast | 13 |
| Electronic City | 3 |
| Whitefield | 22 |
| Central Crime Branch | 45 |
"A total of 5,897 premises were checked and 503 children engaged in labour were rescued," the office of Bengaluru Commissioner of Police said in a statement.
The police said the teams were headed by officers and included labour inspectors to ensure that inspections covered workplaces where children are known to be vulnerable to exploitation. The operation focused on both formal and informal establishments — from shops and godowns to transport hubs and construction sites — reflecting the varied settings where child labour persists in the city.
Under the relevant statutes, employing children in hazardous or certain forms of work is prohibited and attracts penal consequences; the police said 18 cases were registered against shop owners under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and the Juvenile Justice Act. Further investigation into the rescued children’s circumstances and the establishments is ongoing, the statement added.
Child labour remains a complex challenge in urban centres such as Bengaluru, where rapid development, migrant populations and informal economies intersect. City authorities have, over recent years, launched periodic drives and awareness campaigns to curb child labour and to facilitate rehabilitation and education for rescued children. Labour department officials and child welfare committees typically coordinate after such rescues to assess family situations and to initiate social support and legal processes.
The police communication did not provide details on the ages of the children rescued, their immediate placement or whether any employers beyond shop owners have been named so far. It also did not specify timelines for follow-up action by labour or child welfare authorities. The Commissioner of Police’s office said investigations are in progress.
Local civil society groups and child-rights activists often call for sustained enforcement, improved surveillance near transport hubs and markets, and stronger coordination between police, labour inspectors and the Department of Women and Child Development to ensure rescued children are rehabilitated and enrolled in education. The latest operation underscores continuing enforcement activity in Bengaluru as authorities seek to uphold statutory protections for minors.
