NHRC Demands Action After PVCHR Reports Forced Labour in Hazaribagh

 

Breaking the Chains of Bondage: NHRC Orders Inquiry After PVCHR Complaint on 32 Trafficked and Bonded Labourers from Uttar Pradesh Rescued in Jharkhand

November 2025

In a significant step toward justice and human dignity, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a detailed complaint filed by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Founder of PVCHR, regarding 32 labourers—including minors—held in bonded labour conditions at R.H. Marka Brick Kiln, Barkagaon, in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand.

The NHRC has directed the District Magistrate, Hazaribagh to conduct a full inquiry as per the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, the Supreme Court’s landmark judgments, and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Identification and Rescue of Bonded Labour (2017).

An Action Taken Report (ATR) has been demanded within two months.

This intervention marks another milestone in PVCHR’s long-standing fight against bonded labour, exploitation, and trafficking.

The Shocking Case: 32 Labourers, Including Women and Children, Held Without Wages or Freedom

According to the complaint filed on 24 October 2025, 32 labourers from Churk, Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh) were trafficked to Jharkhand for brick kiln work. They were:

• Forced to work for eight months without wages

• Given no adequate food

• Denied the right to return home

• Threatened and physically assaulted when they asked for payment

• Held along with their minor children, many below 10 years

The documents include Aadhaar details of the victims and photographs showing their living conditions and the presence of several children at the site.

The perpetrators—identified as Gaurav and Anuj—reportedly brought the families under false promises and trapped them into forced labour.

Prompt Action: Local Intervention and Rescue

On receiving a written complaint from the labourers, PVCHR coordinated with local partners, including the Child Rights Foundation, Ranchi, leading to:

✔ Submission of a formal letter to the Director General of Police, Jharkhand

✔ Intervention by the Labour Superintendent, Hazaribagh

✔ Issuance of summons to kiln owners for wage settlement

✔ Verification of living and working conditions

✔ Initiation of the rescue process

A letter from the Labour Department confirms that the concerned brick kiln owners were summoned on 19 May 2025 for legal proceedings and wage settlement, marking the first step towards accountability.

NHRC Steps In: A Landmark Directive

On 17 November 2025, NHRC issued a strong directive summarizing the grave violations and emphasizing:

1. Forced Labour = Bonded Labour

Based on Bandhua Mukti Morcha vs. Union of India,

→ Any forced labour automatically raises a presumption of bonded labour.

2. Summary Trial Must Begin within 24 Hours

As per the SOP, legal proceedings must start within 24 hours of rescue.

3. Reconstruction & Rehabilitation

The Commission ordered application of:

• Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers (2021)

• E-Shram registration

• Advisory 2.0 of NHRC (2021)

4. Directive to District Magistrate

The DM must:

✔ Identify bonded labourers

✔ Release and rehabilitate them

✔ Begin prosecution of offenders

✔ Submit ATR within two months

Faces Behind the Tragedy: Documented Evidence

The complaint includes:

• Aadhaar cards of adult labourers

• Aadhaar details of minor children

• Photographs showing the families and living conditions

• Details of wages denied

• Names of 32 adults and 15 children held in captivity

These visuals offer undeniable proof of the scale of exploitation.

PVCHR and Jan Mitra Nyas: A Continued Fight Against Bonded Labour

PVCHR has a long legacy of fighting systemic exploitation across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. This case is part of a broader struggle to:

• Dismantle trafficking networks

• Ensure rescue and rehabilitation

• Promote safe migration

• Strengthen legal accountability

• Protect migrant workers and their children

This intervention once again demonstrates that community-based documentation, quick action, and survivor-centered advocacy can force systemic responses from authorities.

A Call for Dignity and Justice

Bonded labour remains one of the gravest human rights violations in India, disproportionately affecting:

• Dalits

• Adivasi communities

• Migrant workers

• Women and children

PVCHR urges all state agencies to comply fully with NHRC’s directives to ensure:

✔ Immediate wage payment

✔ Legal action against kiln owners

✔ Safe return of all families

✔ Rehabilitation support—housing, livelihood, schooling for children

No worker should ever be trapped in slavery-like conditions in modern India.

Conclusion: Hope Through Collective Action

This case is a reminder that vigilant citizens, survivor voices, and persistent human rights advocacy are essential to dismantle bonded labour. With NHRC’s intervention, we hope justice will be delivered, rehabilitation ensured, and exploitation prevented.

PVCHR and Jan Mitra Nyas will continue monitoring the case and advocating for the rights of all rescued families.

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN BLOCK-C, GPO COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023

Fax No.: 011-24651332    Website: www.nhrc.nic.in

(Law Division)

Case No.- 1412/34/11/2025-BL

---

Date : 17/11/2025

To,

THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATE HAZARIBAGH JHARKHAND Email- dc-haz@nic.in

Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from

LENIN RAGHUVANSHI SA 4/2A DAULATPUR, VARANASI VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH 221002 Email- pvchr.adv@gmail.com , Mob No- 9935599331

Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) -1412/34/11/2025-BL.

Sir/ Madam,

The complaint/ intimation dated 24/10/2025, was placed before the Commission on 17/11/2025. Upon perusing the same, the Commission directed as follows:

The complainant alleged that around 32 laborers, including minors, were held and forced to work at R.H. Marka Brick Kiln in Hazaribagh without pay for eight months. The laborers, brought from Churk, Uttar Pradesh, were denied wages, food, and freedom, and were threatened or beaten when they sought to leave. A written complaint to the labor superintendent led to their rescue. The complainant requested prompt payment of pending wages, legal action against the owners and contractors, and an independent investigation into human rights violations. Additionally, assistance under government rehabilitation schemes for the rescued laborers and their families was sought. In this context, it is important to examine the extant laws/schemes and judgement of the Supreme Court of India on the subject of Bonded Labour which specifically and clearly lays down who is a bonded labour, the authorities to rescue and rehabilitate the bonded labour, procedure to rescue, release and rehabilitate the bonded labourers and how to rehabilitate the bonded labourer. A brief of some important provisions is stated below. Section -10 of The Bonded Labour System(Abolition), Act, 1976  clearly specifies that the State Government may confer such powers and impose such duties on a District Magistrate as may be necessary to ensure that the provisions of the Act are properly carried out and the District Magistrate may specify the officer, subordinate to him, who shall exercise all or any of the powers, and perform all or any of the duties, so conferred or imposed and the local limits within which such powers or duties shall be carried out by the officer so specified. The Standard Operating Procedure for Identification and Rescue of Bonded Labourer and Prosecution of Offender was notified vide OM dated 17.08.2017 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Govt. of India. It specifies that the District Magistrate, SDM or police shall rescue the labourers as soon as possible within 24 hours from the time of complaint received. Thereafter the action to be taken is specified in detail.  Further, Para 6.1 (ii) lays down that the commencement of Summary Trial of offences under the BLSA shall be not later than 24 hours from the date of identification or rescue, whichever is later. In neither case shall the commencement of Summary Trial be delayed for want of registration of an FIR. Para 6.2 further specifies that the designated Magistrate should conclude the Summary Trial within three months. The Central Sector Schemes for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer 2016 and 2021 have been notified by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Govt. of India vide OM dated 18.05.2016 and 07.02.2022 respectively. It lays down the cash and non cash benefits which are to be given for the rehabilitation of the released bonded labourers. There is also catena of decisions of the Supreme Court of India on the issue of bonded labour in India. In Bandhua Mukhti Morcha Vs. UoI and Ors, the Supreme Court of India stated that whenever it is shown that a labourer is made to provide forced labour, the Court would raise a presumption that he is required to do so in consideration of an advance or other economic consideration received by him and he is therefore a bonded labourer. This presumption may be rebutted by the employer and also by the State Government if it so chooses but unless and until satisfactory material is produced for rebutting this presumption, the Court must proceed on the basis that the labourer is a bonded labourer entitled to the benefit of the provisions of the Act. The State Government cannot be permitted to repudiate its obligation to identify, release and rehabilitate the bonded labourers on the plea that though the concerned labourers may be providing forced labour, the State Government does not owe any obligation to them unless and until they show in an appropriate legal proceeding conducted according to the rules of adversary system of justice, that they are bonded labourers. Further, in PUDR and Ors Vs. UoI and Ors, the court stated that when a person provides labour or service to another for remuneration which is less than a minimum wage the labour or service provided by him clearly falls within the scope and ambit of the words “forced labour” under Article 23 of the Constitution of India. The District Magistrate, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand is, therefore, directed to inquire into the complaint as per the Standard Operating Procedure of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Govt. of India.  The case of the labourers be examined in the light of the Bonded Labour System(Abolition), Act, 1976  and the orders of the Supreme Court of India. If any bonded labourer is found, further steps be taken for their release and rehabilitation as per the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer- 2021. He shall also take immediate action for registration of the labourers on the E-shram portal and take action as prescribed under the Advisory 2.0 of the NHRC dated 08.12.2021.   An Action Taken Report be submitted to the Commission within two months. Put up after two months.

2.      Accordingly, I am forwarding herewith a copy of the complaint/ intimation as an attachment for taking appropriate action in the matter as per the directions of the Commission. It is requested that an Action Taken Report be sent to the Commission within 8 weeks from the date of receipt of this letter.

3.     Any communication by public authorities in this matter may please be sent to the Commission through the HRCNet Portal (https://hrcnet.nic.in) by using id and password already provided to the public authorities (click Authority Login). Any Audio/ Video CDs/ pen drives etc. may be sent through Speed Post/ per bearer. The reports/ responses sent through email may not be entertained.

Your’s faithfully Sd/- Indrajeet Kumar DEPUTY REGISTRAR (LAW) M-2 Section Ph. No. 011-24663276