NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reports about 12 bonded labourers being assaulted in captivity and forced to work till midnight without sufficient food and wages for nearly one and a half years at a factory in the Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh

**Executive Summary** The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken *suo motu* cognizance of the illegal confinement, assault, and exploitation of 12 bonded laborers at a paper plate factory in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. The Commission has issued notices to state authorities demanding a detailed report within two weeks following reports of severe physical abuse and at least one death. Key action items include a formal inquiry under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and the immediate registration of victims on the e-Shram Portal. **Key Points / Main Content** **Details of the Human Rights Violations** * Twelve laborers were held in captivity for approximately one and a half years at a factory in Mandi village. * Victims were forced to work until midnight with insufficient food, denied wages, and subjected to physical assault. * Medical examinations revealed serious injuries, including fractures, bruises, cuts, and signs of prolonged abuse. * Victims were lured from public places like railway stations with false promises of employment, after which their phones and identity documents were confiscated. * Allegedly, pit bull dogs were used to intimidate laborers and prevent escape. **Scope of the Incident** * One laborer escaped to file a police complaint, leading to the rescue of the others. * At least one death has been reported, with investigations ongoing to determine if there were further fatalities. * The victims included individuals from various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Nepal. **NHRC Directives and Legal Framework** * The NHRC has observed that the reports indicate serious violations of human rights. * A mandate has been issued for an inquiry to be conducted according to the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s Standard Operating Procedure. * The investigation must adhere to the provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. * Authorities must ensure the immediate registration of the rescued laborers on the e-Shram Portal as per NHRC Advisory 2.0 dated December 8, 2021. **Impact Analysis** **Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP)** **Impact** These officials are held accountable for the state's oversight regarding labor conditions and law enforcement response to the reported abuse. **Action Required** They must submit a detailed report regarding the matter to the Commission within two weeks. **Muzaffarnagar District Magistrate** **Impact** The Magistrate is tasked with the administrative and legal scrutiny of the factory's operations and the treatment of the workers. **Action Required** Must conduct a formal inquiry into the matter as per the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment’s Standard Operating Procedure. **The Rescued Labourers** **Impact** The victims are transitioning from a state of illegal captivity and abuse toward legal protection and potential rehabilitation. **Action Required** The laborers must be registered on the e-Shram Portal to secure their status and access benefits as prescribed under NHRC Advisory 2.0.

Key Entities Referenced