The Delhi High Court has instructed authorities to promptly recover back wages owed to three minor girls rescued in a child labor raid in the national capital. The court also urged the police to locate the employers who are reportedly untraceable. Justice Sachin Datta, in response to a petition by the girls’ mothers, issued the directive following a child labor raid on May 9, 2023.
The office of the Joint Labour Commissioner, West, had calculated the back wages due from the employers after the raid. An FIR was filed under the Juvenile Justice Act and the Child and Adolescent Labour Act, but the employers did not pay the wages despite repeated requests from the petitioners. Justice Datta emphasized the obligation of authorities to promptly initiate recovery proceedings, citing previous judgments on the matter.
The court’s order specified that recovery notices must be issued within two working days of rescuing a child laborer. If employers fail to pay within two weeks, recovery certificates should be issued, and the amount collected as arrears of land revenue through the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The High Court directed immediate action, mandating that the owed amounts be transferred to the rescued children’s bank accounts within two weeks.
Noting that the employers were currently untraceable, the court instructed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate to collaborate with the police to locate them. Justice Datta directed the Delhi Police to actively investigate and take necessary actions for this purpose. The court expressed optimism that the recovery process would be swiftly concluded, ideally within three months. The case is scheduled for a compliance update on October 28, with authorities required to submit a compliance affidavit before the next hearing date.
