The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has sought an inquiry report from the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) in a minor boy case who was rescued from Bhubaneswar.
The minor of Naichhanpur under Khantapara area in the district was rescued by a child line unit in Bhubaneswar. He was engaged as a domestic help.
The boy narrating his plights had alleged that he was tortured both physically and mentally by his masters.
The child was subsequently handed over to the district CWC for further course of action.
CWC chairman Bhagirathi Barik said, “The child is lodged in the Utkal Balashram in Baleswar and the DCPO has been asked to conduct an inquiry and lodge a complaint with the Khantapara police," adding that the victim went to different hands before reaching Bhubaneswar.
The child was handed over by his father to one of his neighbours following the death of his mother about three years ago due to his poor financial condition, said sources.
The neighbour subsequently handed over him to another man in their locality and then the child was handed over to another of Baleswar town. It is also alleged that during transfer of the child from one hand to another, monetary deal too took place.
The fact leading to engagement of the child at different places prima facie suggests a case of child trafficking for the purpose of his engagement as child labour which is an offence as per law, the CWC observed.