Date: 2nd November 2007

To,
Ms. Shanta Sinha,
Chairperson,
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
5th Floor, Chanderlok Building, Janpath,
New Delhi-110001
Fax: 23731584

Respected Madam,

We are making a humble request to intervene in the matter of 75 bonded child labourers rescued yesterday from Zari units of Khanpur, New Delhi. The children were made to go through mental agony and harassment due to the insensitivity and bureaucracy from 12 noon to 10 pm. After rescue made by Labour Department and Police on request of Bachpan Bachao Andolan all the children were brought to police station. The statements of all the children were recorded by Police and officers of Labour Department and thereafter they were produced before the SDM, Hauz Khas area at 7 pm. After lot of queries these children were allowed to go to Mukti Ashram at about 10 pm in the night.

According to the order of the Sub Divisional Magistrate, these children are to be produced before him for further enquiry and investigation. It is 4 pm and no arrangement has been made to take them to his office by the Labour Department as directed by him. In ordinary course it will take about 1½ hours to reach from Mukti Ashram, which is located at a distance of about 45 kilometers from his office. It is sheer harassment and mockery of child rights on part of the SDM towards the rescued bonded children.

It is requested that SDM may be directed to record the statements of all the rescued children in Mukti Ashram during day time as soon as possible and to act as per provisions of Bonded Labour Abolition Act 1976.

It is also requested that the officials of Labour Department also be directed to act according to child labour law as well as concerned Police station be asked to identify and arrest the employers violating different provisions of law.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

R.S.Chaurasia
Chairperson