Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Bombay High Court at Goa has directed the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Dharashiv, Maharashtra, to make available the personal records of 14 children rescued in Goa for examination by the court-appointed amicus curiae. The Court has emphasised that the children’s identities must be protected throughout the process.
The direction covers nine children identified by the North Goa CWC and five identified by its South Goa counterpart. A Division Bench comprising Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar said the amicus curiae could examine the files, subject to strict confidentiality regarding the children.
The proceedings are part of a public interest litigation filed by advocate Moses Pinto concerning child begging in Goa. The Court is looking into reports of children being brought from other states and allegedly made to engage in activities such as begging, beach massages and other unlawful work, including in coastal areas.
During an earlier hearing, the Bench had expressed serious concern over the issue, describing it as a “large-scale human tragedy in Goa”.
The Court has also asked the Dharashiv CWC to explain what steps it takes once children rescued in Goa are returned to Maharashtra. The information is expected to cover arrangements for their education, nutrition and general well-being.
The committee has been given two weeks to submit an additional affidavit responding to directions issued by the Court on September 23. The required information must be placed on record by October 31.
The matter will next be taken up for further directions on December 1.
