The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has uncovered a child begging racket involving brokers bringing children from Rajasthan to Ahmedabad. These children beg at traffic signals, with fixed rates of Rs. 150 on SG Highway and Rs. 100 on CG Road. The police have recently rescued 15 children and registered 9 complaints.
Brokers bring families from Rajasthan to beg at traffic signals in Ahmedabad. They target posh areas where children beg daily, and their families receive payment in the evening based on fixed rates. The brokers operate by travelling to small villages in Rajasthan to recruit poor families.
The rate of begging varies by location, with higher rates at more affluent signals. The police found rate cards used by the begging racket. The Ahmedabad Crime Branch detected this human trafficking racket and rescued 15 children. Medical checkups are being conducted to determine if any immoral acts have been committed against the rescued girls.
A total of 33 children have been rescued so far by different teams. The rescued children were below 15 years of age, and many were brought to Ahmedabad with their mothers and newborn siblings. The involvement of 15 to 16-year-old girls in the racket has raised concerns, and the police are taking necessary steps to protect them and provide support.