PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday reiterated concerns over children allegedly trafficked from Maharashtra and Karnataka and pushed into begging, beach massages and other illegal activities in Goa.
The Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar described the situation as a ‘large-scale human tragedy’ and indicated that its scrutiny of child begging could now encompass the wider exploitation of children in Goa.
“It is a large-scale human tragedy in Goa, wherein children from Maharashtra and Karnataka are being put into illegal activities, including massages on the beaches, begging and other illegal activities,” it observed while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Advocate Moses Pinto on child begging in the State.
The Bench noted that several rescued children were from a particular community in Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad) and questioned the circumstances behind their movement to Goa. “We need to know the reason,” the Court observed, adding, “Children from Karnataka are another issue.”
The Bench directed the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Dharashiv, to place on record the steps being taken after children are repatriated from Goa, beyond merely restoring them to their families. The Court sought details on their schooling, nutrition and other measures undertaken to secure their best interests and welfare. Justice Menezes stated that the PIL concerns children from different States and that questions of jurisdiction could arise. However, authorities were looking into those aspects. “Nevertheless, we are passing the order,” the Court added.
During the hearing, the Bench also considered an affidavit filed by the CWC, North Goa, which disclosed that 23 children had been rescued in 2024-25. Of these, nine were from Dharashiv, five from Pandharpur and two from Mumbai, besides children from other places.
The CWC, Dharashiv, is functioning online and remains in contact with the Goa CWC. The Court also stressed that rehabilitation of rescued children must be undertaken in accordance with the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. Maharashtra Advocate General Milind Sathe appeared through video conferencing from Mumbai and assured the Court that Dharashiv CWC would comply with its directions. He said an Additional Government Pleader at Aurangabad would coordinate and represent Maharashtra in subsequent hearings. The concerned authorities were directed to file affidavits setting out these details. The High Court also granted time till the end of this week for the pending affidavit and posted the matter for October 13.
