Bengaluru police rescue 529 child labourers in citywide crackdown; 105 cases registered

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Sep 14, 2026: The City Police rescued 529 child labourers during a special operation in which surprise inspections were carried out at 6,076 locations across Bengaluru.

Police registered 105 cases against shop owners and employers for allegedly engaging children in labour.

The operation was conducted on Saturday, September 12, by special teams comprising police personnel and Labour Inspectors. The teams conducted inspections at commercial establishments, industrial areas and other locations under various police station jurisdictions.

“During the operation, a total of 529 children who were found working at these establishments were rescued,” Bengaluru police said in a statement on Sunday.

Cases were registered under provisions of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and the Juvenile Justice Act. Further investigation is underway.

The West Division recorded the highest number of rescued children at 103, followed by East with 74, North with 66, Central with 63 and South with 52.

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) registered the highest number of cases at 26, followed by East Division with 18, North-East with 17 and West with 15.

The special drive was launched following Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s direction to the police after he came across instances of child labour at the APMC Yard in Yeshwanthpur a week earlier.