Bengaluru Police Bust Begging Racket, Rescue 13 Minors
The CCB Women Protection Wing rescued 13 minor children forced into begging and arrested four out-of-state suspects in Bengaluru.
In a high-stakes operation aimed at dismantling human exploitation networks, the CCB Women Protection Wing has successfully rescued 13 minor children who were allegedly being coerced into begging. The crackdown, which took place in Bengaluru, also resulted in the arrest of four individuals from outside the state who were managing the illegal operation.
The Midnight Raid at Kogilu Cross
The breakthrough came following a tip-off from a confidential informant. The information suggested that a group of outsiders was operating out of makeshift huts located on the footpath beneath a flyover near Kogilu Cross. These structures, situated within the jurisdiction of the Yelahanka Police Station, were reportedly being used as hideouts to house children for forced begging.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the CCB Women Protection Wing launched a joint raid alongside officials from the Social Welfare Department. The coordinated effort aimed to secure the safety of the children while ensuring the perpetrators were apprehended.
Interrogations Reveal Organized Crime
During the operation, police took four suspects into custody. Preliminary investigations revealed a disturbing pattern of organized exploitation. Upon interrogation, all four individuals admitted to their involvement in the racket.
How the Racket Operated:
- Housing: The suspects used makeshift shelters under flyovers to hide the children.
- Exploitation: The minors were forced to beg at various traffic signals across Bengaluru City.
- Profit: The money collected from the begging activities was being siphoned off by the handlers to generate illicit income.
The four suspects have been handed over to the Yelahanka Police Station, where they face further legal proceedings for their roles in this criminal enterprise.
Next Steps for the Rescued Children
The focus has now shifted to the rehabilitation and protection of the 13 rescued minors. The children have been produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to ensure their immediate safety and well-being.
Authorities have initiated a formal process to trace the biological parents of the children to determine how they were separated from their families and to prevent further exploitation. The investigation remains ongoing as police look into whether this network extends to other parts of the city.