SC bans employment of minors in circus shows

The Supreme Court today banned the employment of children in circus shows.

A bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and A K Patnaik directed the Centre to issue notification banning the employment of minor children by circus companies within two months.

The apex court also directed the government to carry out raids to rescue the children who were already working in circus shows.

Today's orders have been issued on a petition filed by an NGO called "Bachpan Bachao Andolan".

The owners of the circus companies will be prosecuted if they are found employing small children in circus shows.

A large number of children are employed and many of them are being virtually kept as bonded labour by circus companies. They were also being denied their fundamental Right to Education.

The employment of minors in any industry is a criminal offence under the law.

NNN