Mumbai Police Rescue 13 Child Labourers From Imitation Jewellery Unit in Kandivali

August 20, 2026

Mumbai: Mumbai Police rescued 13 minors from an imitation jewellery manufacturing unit in Kandivali West during a raid, officials said on Thursday.

The operation was carried out by Charkop Police at a unit identified as Jhahara Fashion Era in Charkop Industrial Estate.

According to preliminary investigation, the rescued children, aged between 13 and 17 years, were allegedly employed at the facility to manufacture imitation jewellery and bangles.

Children allegedly worked 9-10 hours a day

Police said the minors were allegedly made to work for around nine to 10 hours a day and were not paid adequate wages.

All 13 children reportedly belong to different districts of West Bengal.

Investigators also found that the children were allegedly living at the workplace, raising further concerns about their working and living conditions.

During the raid, the owner and operator of the unit reportedly failed to produce valid documents establishing the ages of the children.

Unit owner, operator detained

Police detained the unit’s owner, Ankit Kumar Mahendra Rawal, and operator Saminur Motiyar Rahman Shaikh.

A case has been registered against them under relevant provisions of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and the Juvenile Justice Act.

Following the rescue, the 13 minors were handed over to the concerned department for further care and necessary action.

Police probe possible child labour network

Investigators are now examining how the children were brought from West Bengal to Mumbai.

Police are also looking into whether other people were involved in bringing the minors to the city and whether a larger child labour network is operating behind the case.

What does Indian law say about child labour?

Under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, as amended in 2016, employment of children below 14 years is prohibited in all occupations and processes, subject to specified exceptions.

The law also prohibits adolescents aged 14 to 18 years from working in hazardous occupations and processes.

The Constitution also provides protection to children. Article 24 prohibits the employment of children in factories, mines and other hazardous employment, while Article 21A provides for free and compulsory education for children between six and 14 years of age.