Four persons from other States have been taken into custody for allegedly engaging children in begging at traffic signals across Bengaluru, following a joint operation by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) Women Protection Wing and the Social Welfare Department. 13 children were rescued during the operation.

Among the 13 children were toddlers and teenagers, police sources said. Some of them may have been rented out by their own parents to beg, the police suspect.

Acting on credible information, the police conducted a raid on makeshift huts erected on the footpath beneath the flyover near Kogilu Cross on Monday. The information indicated that persons from other States were staying there and allegedly using children for begging.

During the operation, the police detained four persons and questioned them. According to the police, the four admitted during interrogation that they had kept the children with them and had made them beg at traffic signals across Bengaluru to earn money.

The four accused were subsequently handed over to the Yelahanka police. The 13 rescued children were produced before the Child Welfare Committee, along with a report, for further action, including efforts to trace their biological parents.

The operation was carried out as part of efforts to prevent the exploitation of children and identify those allegedly forcing minors to beg for money.

Further legal action is expected following the police investigation and the Child Welfare Committee’s intervention.