Mumbai Police Rescue 13 Minors From Garment Factory in Charkop

Mumbai police have rescued 13 minor boys who were allegedly trafficked from West Bengal and subjected to forced labour at a garment manufacturing unit operating under the Charkop police jurisdiction. Two suspects linked to the operation were arrested on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

A case has been registered at the Charkop Police Station under Sections 75 and 79 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, along with Sections 3 and 3(A) of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.

According to Sachin Nikalje, Assistant Police Inspector at Charkop Police Station, the minors had been sent to Mumbai by their relatives with the promise of employment. The children were brought to the city by Saminur Motiar Rehman Sheikh, who worked as a manager for Ankitkumar Mahendra Rawal, the owner of Alankit Creations, LLP and Zahra Fashion Era.

Investigators stated that the children were subsequently forced to work at the garment units. According to the police, the minors were mistreated, forced to carry out arduous manual labour, and subjected to physical harassment and exploitation.

The rescued minors are all between the ages of 13 and 17 and hail from three districts in West Bengal. Ten of the boys are from Bardhman district, two from Nadia, and one from Hooghly.

Following the rescue operation on August 18, both Sheikh and Rawal were placed under arrest. The two accused were subsequently released on bail.

Police officials confirmed that all 13 minors have been handed over to the Child Welfare Committee to ensure their care and protection, while the investigation into the case remains ongoing.