(a) whether the Government is aware that a number of children had been stolen/kidnapped for begging business;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the total number of such cases reported, rackets busted, guilty arrested and the action taken against them during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise; and
(c) the details of guidelines issued to the States and the police departments to stop such cases in future?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)
(a) & (b): As per information provided by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 29, 44 and 16 children (below 18 years) were kidnapped or abducted in the country for the purpose of begging during 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. Data on stolen children for begging purpose is not maintained separately. NCRB maintains data on total cases reported under kidnapping or abduction for begging purpose and age group wise parsons kidnapped or abducted for this purpose. As per available information, total cases reported and number of children under kidnapping or abduction for begging purpose during 2012 – 2014 is enclosed at Annexure-I. For this specific information, data on racket busted guilty arrested & action taken against them is not maintained separately.
(c): As per the seventh schedule to the Constitution of India `Police` and `Public Order` are State subjects and, as such, the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crime, lies with the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations. Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an advisory dated 14th July, 2010 on crime against children which is available at
http://www.mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/pdf/AdvCrime-children-280710.pdf
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