Begging racket exploiting abandoned children busted

A racket involving beggars exploiting abandoned children to beg on the streets was busted by the Human Rights Cell of the Hyderabad police on Friday night. According to Inspector Maria Sario, in charge of the cell, 14 women and two men were detained after they were found in apparent illegal custody of children who were reportedly begging alongside them.

The suspects were rounded up mainly from the commercial Autobahn Road, and transported along with the children in a police mobile to the Human Rights Cell office. Sario told The Express Tribune that three children were recovered during the operation.

"The women failed to produce their CNICs or provide any credible information regarding the children's identities or guardianship," she said, adding that an investigation has been launched into the matter. The action was taken under the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Zain-ul-Abedin Memon.

Police and district administration officials noted that the children being used for street begging were neither the biological children of the suspects, nor could the suspects prove they had any legal custody of them. The raids were conducted within the jurisdictions of Bhitai Nagar, Qasimabad, and GOR police stations.

Although the detained individuals have not yet been named in any FIR, the offences appear to involve human trafficking and bonded child labour, based on details shared with the media.