Officials of the Labour Department, Puttur, and Child Helpline coordinators on Friday rescued a 15-year-old boy from Bihar working in a bar and restaurant in Uppinangady.

The boy, working as a cleaner at Karthik Bar and Restaurant, was resuced during a surprise inspection, an official release said. He was brought before the Child Welfare Committee for rehabilitation.

Senior Labour Inspector Virendra Kumbar, District Child Labour Project Association Project Director Srinivas and Childline Coordinator P. Ganesh were part of the inspection team.

The Assistant Labour Commissioner, Mangaluru Division, said action to file a case against the employer under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, is in progress.

Child labour is a social evil. The Act prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 in any establishment. It also prohibits the employment of those aged between 15 and 18 years in hazardous industries, while regulating their employment in non-hazardous industries. Punishment for violation of these provisions attracts a ₹50,000 fine and imprisonment of up to two years, the Assistant Labour Commissioner said.

If members of the public find any child or adolescent being employed, they may call Childline on 1098, or the Labour Department on 0824-2435343, 2433132 and 2437479, or the District Child Labour Project Association on 0824-2433131.

Published - July 24, 2026 08:22 pm IST