Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the State government to file an affidavit within three weeks detailing its plan to rescue children forced to beg at traffic signals and implement child protection measures under the Juvenile Justice Act and the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The petition filed by a lawyer has also sought directions to authorities concerned to enact appropriate policies and law to prevent exploitation of children.
The Court also requested the petitioner, Advocate Moses Pinto, to offer his suggestions to the government on addressing the issue.
Advocate Pinto, in his public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition, had sought government intervention to rescue children engaged in begging and ensure the implementation of child protection laws. He further urged the government to provide temporary shelters, facilitate educational access and establish a task force to tackle child exploitation in public areas. Additionally, he called for awareness campaigns to educate the public on the issue.
Appreciating the concerns raised by Advocate Pinto, the Court stated that since the petitioner claims to be a public-spirited advocate, he should provide his recommendations to address the issue.
"Depending on his suggestions, the Court may ask the government to implement them, if found feasible," the Court observed.
Directing the State government to submit its affidavit, the Court noted that merely registering offences under the Goa Prevention of Begging Act, 1972, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, is not a sufficient solution.
"It is necessary to address the root cause of this menace. The focus should be on prohibiting begging rather than merely prosecuting parents. A wholesome solution is required to resolve the issue," the Court stated.