SC Seeks Centre’s Response On PIL For Ban On Child Employment In Orchestras, Spas

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre , the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on a PIL seeking a complete ban on the employment of children and adolescents in entertainment and wellness-related establishments.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi observed that the matter raised a “serious issue” after hearing submissions from senior advocate H S Phoolka, appearing for the child rights collective Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA) .

The plea seeks directions under Article 32 to the Centre to invoke Section 4 of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act (CALPRA), 1986 , to classify orchestras, dance troupes, dance bars, nautanki performances, massage parlours, spas and salons as prohibited occupations under Part A of the Schedule.

It also seeks reclassification of Entry 52 , which currently places certain wellness and recreational establishments under a regulated category, arguing that such settings pose high risks of exploitation and should be fully prohibited for minors.

The petition alleges that these sectors function as clandestine fronts for organised trafficking, sexual exploitation and forced labour , particularly of minor girls, exploiting gaps in the law where some activities remain unlisted or only regulated.

It cites instances where girls as young as 10 and 11 were allegedly engaged in orchestras and dance performances, and highlights an enforcement vacuum due to inconsistent state-level implementation.

Referring to rescue operations between March 2025 and May 2026, the plea claims 212 minors were rescued from orchestras and dance groups in Bihar and West Bengal, and 12 minors from spas and massage parlours in Delhi and Rajasthan.

It further states victims were lured with false promises of glamour or training and forced into exploitative conditions, including sexually suggestive performances.

The matter will be heard further after responses are filed.