Police officials with children who were found begging at the Cyber Towers intersection.
Cyberabad police launched a first-of-its-kind crackdown on child begging, arresting and jailing parents who allegedly forced their children to beg at traffic junctions and public places.
DCP Srujana Karnam, Cyberabad Women and Child Safety said the police have taken serious note of cases where children have been painted and dressed in Mahatma Gandhi clothes and forced to beg on streets, traffic lights and busy intersections. Such practices, officials said, were repeatedly carried out by parents or guardians to collect money from the public.
Recently, five minor boys were rescued while begging at the Cyber Towers junction. After the rescue, a case was registered at the Madhapur police station against the parents for repeatedly sending the children to beg on the roads. The parents were later arrested and placed in judicial custody.
The official described the act of forcing children to beg as cruelty and exploitation and a gross violation of their rights, dignity and well-being. “Forcing or inducing children to beg exposes them to serious physical, emotional and psychological risks, especially in high-traffic areas where their safety is at serious risk,” the official said.
The Cyberabad police warned that strict legal action would be taken against parents or guardians found forcing or encouraging children to beg. The police added that the rescued children will be provided with protection, counseling and rehabilitation support in coordination with social welfare and child protection authorities.
The public has been urged not to support child begging and to report such incidents immediately to the nearest police station or the child helpline on 1098.
Published – 04 Feb 2026 21:19 IST
