Hyderabad police rescues 23 daily wage beggars, busts begging racket

HYDERABAD: The Commissioner's West Zone Task Force team, in collaboration with the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Jubliee Hills Police, and NGO Smile Project in-charges, rescued 23 beggars at various junctions, in addition to apprehending the begging racket kingpin on Saturday.

According to the police, the main accused, Anil Pawar (28), of Fatehnagar in Hyderabad, is a native of Gulbarga, Karnataka State, manages beggars and forces them to collect alms at several traffic junctions from Tadbun to Hitech City.

He was also earlier involved in Cr.No. 138/2019 U/s 302 IPC of Sanath Nagar police station and is facing trial. His partners, Ramu, Raghu, Dharmender, and a few others who are also natives of Gulbarga in Karnataka State, are currently absconding.

Based on an inquiry, it was revealed that Anil Pawar and other absconding accused used to employ poor ladies, minor children, single widows, elderly people, and physically handicapped people from their neighbourhood to collect alms at several traffic intersections ranging from Tadbun to Hitech City.

Anil Pawar gave adulterated toddy to the children to make them sleep to gain sympathy and begging alms at various traffic signals in Hyderabad city.

The police seized eight vehicles that were used for dropping off the beggars at various junctions. He used to earn Rs. 4500 to 6,000 per day at Jubilee Hills check post alone; in return, whereas he was only paying them Rs 200 per day to each beggar as daily wages.

A case has been registered U/s Sec 76, 77 of Juvenile Justice Act, Sec 27, 28 of the Telangana Prevention of begging Act, 1977 & Sec 336 IPC.