Mumbai police rescued 13 minors on Tuesday (August 18, 2026), sent by their relatives to find a job and handed them over to a manager, who allegedly employed them in forced labour at a garment factory. Two suspects were arrested.

A case has been registered at Charkop Police Station under Sections 75 and 79 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, read with Sections 3(A) and 3 of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.

According to Sachin Nikalje, Assistant Police Inspector, Charkop Police Station, the children were sent to Mumbai for work by their relatives. “These children were sent by their relatives to get a job and brought to Mumbai by Saminur Motiar Rehman Sheikh. He was the manager of Ankitkumar Mahendra Rawal, the owner of Alankit Creations, LLP and Zahra Fashion Era, where they were forced to work,” Mr. Nikalje said.

“They were allegedly mistreated, forced to do arduous labour, and were physically harassed and exploited,” the police said.

The two accused were arrested on August 18 but were later released on bail. The 13 children are from West Bengal – 10 from the Bardhman district, two from Nadia, and one from Hooghly. They are between the age groups of 13 and 17.

The children have been handed to the Child Welfare Committee, and the investigation is ongoing.

Published - August 22, 2026 02:20 am IST