The network called for the transfer of massage parlors from Part B to Part A of the Program and the inclusion of orchestras, dance bars, dance troupes, spas and similar establishments in Part A of the Program under CALPRA to ensure an absolute ban on child labor in these sectors, said JRC General Counsel Rachna Tya.
“Today marks a very significant day in India’s child protection ecosystem. The employment of children in such institutions is not simply labor exploitation, but often a gateway to trafficking, sexual abuse and organized crime. We hope that this intervention by the Hon’ble Supreme Court will strengthen protections for vulnerable children and close the legislative loopholes that continue to put them at risk and vulnerability,” he said.
The petitioner further requested the high court to direct the KKPK to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of children found working in such institutions.
The PIL pointed out that the current “legislative vacuum” allows traffickers to disguise alleged systematic exploitation as legitimate employment, leaving rescued children vulnerable to re-trafficking.
“It is appalling that since December 2025, 11 consecutive raids, including nine raids on orchestras and two raids on massage parlors, carried out by the petitioner and his partners, have resulted in the rescue of 85 minors from orchestras and five minors from massage parlors in 90 minutes,” the PIL said.
The petition also pointed out that, in close coordination with police authorities across Bihar, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Delhi, JRC and its partners rescued 212 minors from orchestras and 12 minors from massage parlors and spas between March 2025 and May 2026.
