New Delhi: Refusing to withdraw its order summoning Delhi Chief Secretary over alleged in-action to rescue child labourers, the High Court on Tuesday asked the city government to furnish the progress report by October 31.
"Justice is not done to children. This is temple of justice. Let Chief Secretary come and explain...," a bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and and Justice Manmohan said.
The court had earlier summoned the Chief Secretary and the Secretary of Labour Department to appear before it on November 13 and explain the reasons for non-compliance of the directions to conduct raids and rescue children employed as labourers.
It was today hearing an application filed by the Delhi government for withdrawal the order summoning the senior officials.
"First show progress then come for relief...," the court said while declining to withdraw the order and sought by October 31 the progress report on government`s efforts to rescue child labourers.
Filing an application through Standing Counsel Pawan Sharma, the city government said several raids have been conducted and more than 200 children have also been rescued and the officer`s personal appearance is not required in the court.
Senior Advocate HS Phoolka, for petitioner NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan which has sought complete elimination of child labour from the national capital, argued that government is not implementing its own plan to abolish child labour despite high court`s repeated orders.
PTI
