CHILDLINE 1098 Service » News » Now illegal: Supreme Court bans child labour in circus

The Supreme Court in a landmark judgment that banned the employment of children below 14 years of age in circuses across India directed the Government of India to frame proper policies for rehabilitation of the children rescued.

"To implement the fundamental right of children under Article 21A [right to education], it is imperative that the Central Government issue suitable notifications prohibiting the employment of children in circuses within two months," said the Bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and A.K. Patnaik.

The court also directed Government to conduct raids to rescue children working in circuses and formulate a proper rehabilitation programme for them.