EMPEROR Vs. GOKULDAS HARIDAS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) It is found that the girls employed in the factory were aged fourteen years. They would, therefore, come under the definition of "child" in the Indian Factories Act. Section 23, Clause (a), requires that:- no child shall be employed in any factory unless he is in possession of a certificate granted under Section 7 or Section 8 showing that he is not less than twelve years of age and is fib for employment in a factory and while at work carries either the certificate itself or a token giving reference to such certificate.

(2.) It is admitted that the girls were not in possession of any such certificate or token. The certificate required by Section 23 must state in the ease of a child who has completed twelve years that he or she is fit for employment in a factory, Dewan Bahadur Rao has contended before us that in the case of a child of fourteen there is no need for such a certificate. We do not agree with that contention.

(3.) The rules in these three cases are discharged.