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Case-Studies

23. Case of child employed in a circus:
Avinash, 11 years.

Avinash, an 11 year-old child was employed at the Rajkumar circus. The child would lie down and a 40 Kg stone would be broken on his chest with a hammer. The child was forced into this and could not complain to anybody. After the show he would often experience extreme pain. It was one of the spectators who called Ahmednagar CHILDLINE to inform about the child. With police assistance the child was rescued from the circus. The owner of Rajkumar Circus was taken into custody.

A written commitment was taken from the circus owner stating that he would not employ children below the age of 18. He was then released on bail. The child was meanwhile placed at a shelter home by the order of CWC.

The following day Avinash's parents along with the circus owner visited the CHILDLINE office. Meanwhile, the circus owner had sent his men to the house of the spectator and threatened her mother that if Avinash does not return to the circus they would kidnap her sister. A FIR was lodged with the local police station and the culprits were taken into custody for 3hours and were released on bail.

Avinash was presented before the CWC and handed over to his parents.