Palghar: Two hotel owners in Nalasopara East have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, for allegedly employing and exploiting minor boys at their establishment.
About The Case
The Pelhar Police have registered a case under Section 146 of the BNS and Sections 75 and 79 of the Juvenile Justice Act, which pertain to cruelty and unlawful employment of children.
The accused have been identified as, Islam Ali Gulam Mohammad (30), owner of Gazi Darbar Hotels and Caterers in Nalasopara East and Mohammad Rafiq Mohammad Nanu Pathan (32), resident of Nalasopara East, affiliated with Shane Gazi Caterers at the same location.
Two boys, both aged approximately 15, were found working at the hotel.
The complaint was lodged by Gopal Vaman Patil, a government labour officer from Palghar. During an inspection conducted between on August 6, the officer observed that the minor boys were being forced to do heavy labor under exploitative conditions.
The children were reportedly subjected to excessive working hours, with signs of economic, physical, and psychological exploitation. The hotel owners allegedly hired the minors for their own financial gain, bypassing child protection laws and failing to ensure the children’s well-being.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and both accused have no prior criminal records.
The police have assured that further investigation is ongoing and appropriate legal action will be taken.
