Law-enforcement authorities have rescued 29 children from a life of begging, and registered eight cases against their parents for forcing them to beg.

The rescues follow a targeted operation — by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Mahila police East and West, and the Crime Branch — to address concerns that criminal gangs may be forcing children into both begging and drug trafficking. 

Carried out in two phases, the drive focused on children seen begging at major intersections in areas such as Satellite, Gujarat University, and SG Highway in Ahmedabad. 

During the drive, officials learnt that agents from rural areas of Rajasthan were luring families with young children to Ahmedabad and other districts of Gujarat promising them daily wages of  ₹150–200. They were then forced into begging, ACP Bharat Patel of the Crime Branch said. Efforts will be made to ensure that the rescued children can continue their education with the help of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, he added.  

An initial investigation has already led to several arrests, with police anticipating significant revelations related to human trafficking as the probe continues.

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