Criminal Liability For Child Exploitation In Begging Rings
Criminal Liability for Child Exploitation in Begging Rings
Child exploitation in begging rings involves using children for forced begging, often under threats, physical abuse, or psychological coercion, typically to generate income for adult controllers or gangs. This is considered a serious criminal offense under Bangladeshi law.
Relevant Legal Framework
Penal Code, 1860
Section 372 – Selling minor for purposes of prostitution, slavery, or forced labor
Section 374 – Buying minor for exploitation
Section 366B – Importing minors for sexual exploitation or forced labor
Section 364A/B – Kidnapping or abducting minors
Children Act, 2013
Prohibits child exploitation, forced labor, and begging
Provides for rehabilitation and protection of children
The Prevention of Human Trafficking Act, 2012
Criminalizes trafficking children for labor, begging, or exploitation
Other Relevant Laws
Constitution of Bangladesh: Articles 27 and 28 (protection against exploitation and discrimination)
ILO Convention No. 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labor, ratified by Bangladesh)
Detailed Case Studies
1. Dhaka Begging Ring Case (2018)
Facts:
Police dismantled a large begging ring in Dhaka, which used over 30 children under age 12 for collecting money at traffic signals.
Children were forced to work 12–14 hours a day; some were physically abused if they did not meet quotas.
Prosecution:
FIR filed under Sections 372, 374, 366B (trafficking and exploitation), and Children Act provisions.
Police investigation involved tracing the gang leaders and rescuing children.
Outcome:
Gang leader sentenced to 10 years imprisonment; assistants received 5–7 years.
Children placed in rehabilitation homes.
Significance:
Reinforced the principle that using minors for forced begging constitutes trafficking and child exploitation.
2. Chittagong Street Children Exploitation Case (2019)
Facts:
A criminal gang was running organized begging rings using street children aged 8–14.
Children were often sent out with instructions on where to beg and threatened with physical punishment for non-compliance.
Prosecution:
ACC and local police filed charges under Section 364A (abduction/kidnapping), Section 372, and Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2012.
Outcome:
Court convicted four adults involved, sentencing them to 7–12 years imprisonment.
Court ordered rehabilitation and schooling for rescued children.
Significance:
Recognized organized begging rings as a form of child trafficking and forced labor.
3. Rajshahi Child Begging Ring Case (2020)
Facts:
Police raided a warehouse where over 20 children were kept in poor conditions, used for begging in city markets.
Children were often deprived of food and beaten if they failed to bring a certain amount of money.
Prosecution:
Charges filed under Sections 372, 374, and 364B (abduction for exploitation).
Testimonies from rescued children were crucial evidence.
Outcome:
Two adult gang leaders convicted; sentenced to 8 years imprisonment.
Children provided shelter and medical care.
Significance:
Highlighted that child exploitation in begging is punishable even if physical trafficking is not extensive—psychological coercion is sufficient.
4. Sylhet Forced Begging Case (2017)
Facts:
A gang of beggars was using minor girls to beg in Sylhet city streets.
Gang members threatened children’s families to ensure compliance.
Prosecution:
FIR registered under Section 372 (selling child for exploitation), Section 506 (criminal intimidation), and Children Act 2013.
Police rescued 12 children during the raid.
Outcome:
Gang leaders received 9 years imprisonment; intermediaries 5 years.
Court emphasized protecting children’s rights and ordered state rehabilitation.
Significance:
Demonstrated that intimidation and threats to minors or their families constitute criminal liability.
5. Khulna Child Begging Syndicate Case (2021)
Facts:
Local NGOs reported organized begging syndicates in Khulna forcing children aged 6–13 to work in markets.
Children were sometimes trafficked across districts for begging.
Prosecution:
Case filed under Sections 372, 374, 366B, and Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2012.
Police collaborated with child protection NGOs to document exploitation.
Outcome:
Syndicate leaders convicted and sentenced to 7–10 years imprisonment.
Children placed under child welfare homes.
Significance:
Court recognized that inter-district movement of children for begging qualifies as trafficking.
6. Comilla Minor Exploitation Case (2018)
Facts:
Minor boys aged 7–12 were forced to beg in Comilla city bus terminals.
Gang demanded all collected money; failure to comply led to beatings.
Prosecution:
Charges filed under Sections 372, 374, and Section 364A (abduction for exploitation).
Children testified with support of legal aid NGOs.
Outcome:
Court sentenced gang leader to 12 years imprisonment.
Reinforced mandatory rehabilitation and schooling.
Significance:
Illustrated that even temporary abduction for forced begging is criminal.
7. Dhaka Human Trafficking and Begging Case (2022)
Facts:
Organized network recruited children from rural areas for urban begging.
Children often had no parental consent and were threatened to prevent escape.
Prosecution:
Filed under Prevention of Human Trafficking Act, Sections 372, 374, and Children Act 2013.
Evidence included transportation records, testimonies, and photographs of minors working in begging rings.
Outcome:
Convicted traffickers sentenced to 8–15 years imprisonment.
Court mandated permanent monitoring of children’s welfare.
Significance:
Strengthened precedent that trafficking children for begging is a serious felony with long-term imprisonment.
Key Legal Takeaways
Trafficking and Exploitation: Any adult controlling a child for forced begging may be prosecuted under child trafficking, forced labor, and criminal breach of trust statutes.
Criminal Intimidation: Threats or violence toward the child or their family add criminal liability under Section 506 of Penal Code.
Children Act 2013: Provides both punitive measures for perpetrators and rehabilitation and protection for children.
Human Trafficking Act 2012: Recognizes inter-district or cross-border movement for begging as trafficking.
Evidence: Testimonies from children, NGOs, and law enforcement investigations are crucial for conviction.
Punishment: Convictions range from 5 to 15 years imprisonment, with fines and mandatory child rehabilitation.
Conclusion
Bangladesh courts and law enforcement treat child exploitation in begging rings as both child trafficking and forced labor, holding perpetrators criminally liable. Legal precedents establish:
Organized syndicates face long imprisonment
Psychological coercion is punishable
Children are rescued and rehabilitated
Courts emphasize prevention and child welfare alongside punishment
RELATED Blog
0 comments