Minor rescued from tyre shop in Satellite, owner booked for child labour

The Anandnagar police in Ahmedabad have registered a case against the owner of a tyre service shop in the Satellite area after a 16-year-old boy was found working there in violation of child labour laws.

The case was registered following a joint inspection carried out on January 28 at Jai Ambe Tyre Service, located near Ramdevnagar Road, Satellite. The inspection was conducted by officials of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Crime Branch, along with members of a child rights organisation, acting on specific information that minors were being employed at the premises.

According to the first information report (FIR), one child, aged 16, was found engaged in work at the tyre shop. His age was verified through Aadhaar records. The minor, a native of Bihar currently residing in the Sarkhej area, told officials that he had been working at the shop for the past two months.

During questioning, the child stated that he was made to work for nearly 11 hours a day, from 9 am to 10 pm, with a one-hour break in the afternoon. He was unable to specify the wages paid to him, police said.

The shop owner, Govindprasad Kushwaha, a resident of Vejalpur, was identified as the employer. Police said the minor was engaged in tyre-related work at the commercial establishment, which constitutes an offence under child labour regulations.

Following the rescue, the child was produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for further care, rehabilitation and educational support. He was subsequently taken to the Anandnagar police station as part of the legal procedure.

Based on a complaint filed by a state coordinator of a child welfare organisation, Anandnagar police registered an FIR against the shop owner for employing a child below the age of 18 at a commercial establishment. 

Police officials said further inquiry is underway to determine whether other minors were previously employed at the premises and to assess compliance with labour and child protection laws.