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Settlement of the crime of Child Labour

Last updated on Jun 22, 2022

If you have failed to comply with the provisions of the Act or the Rules of the child labour law then the law provides alternatives to criminal prosecution. The law allows you to as they say in legal terms “Compound Offences”. Compounding means to settle. You can compound the offence committed if you are one of the two categories of persons:

  • Someone who commits an offence for the first time.
  • A parent or a guardian who commits an offence by not complying with the child labour provisions and law.

To compound an offence, follow these steps:

  1. You should make an application and approach the District Magistrate only after paying the money for the application.
  2. The money to be paid with the application to the Central Government has to be:
    • 50% of the maximum fine of the offence
    • You will be levied an additional 25% of the maximum fine for the offence if you don’t pay the amount within the specified period.
  3. Once you pay the amount then the District Magistrate will issue you a “Certificate of Compounding”.

If you fail to pay the amount, then the proceedings of the case will be continued in accordance with the child labour laws that is, you can be tried and punished, but if you do pay the amount, then you cannot be taken to court for the offence since you have already paid and settled it.

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