Mehtab v. State Of Punjab And ORS

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Decided on : 07.02.2025 Mehtab . . . Petitioner(s)

Versus

State of Punjab and others . . . Respondent(s)

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH PRESENT: Mr. Subhash Kumar, Advocate for the petitioner(s).

**** SANJAY VASHISTH , J. (Oral) 1.

The present writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of writ in the nature of Habeas Corpus directing the official respondents to get detenues mentioned in paragraph No.4 of the petition, released from the illegal custody of respondents No.6 & 7.

2.

Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner contends that the petitioner has filed the present Habeas Corpus petition before this Court, seeking the immediate rescue of nine detenues/bonded laborers. Respondents No.6 & 7 contacted the detenues for brick-making work at their brick-kiln in November 2024. Thereafter, the petitioner, along with the detenues, arrived and commenced work in the first week of November 2024. The agreed rate for moulding Kacha bricks was settled between the detenues and Respondents No.6 & 7 at Rs. 630 per 1,000 bricks. At present, an outstanding amount of Rs. 70,000/- remains unpaid by Respondents No.6 & 7 on account of wages.

3.

Learned counsel further submits that, to date, Respondents No.6

- 2 - & 7 have not paid the outstanding wages of Rs. 70,000/- and that the detenues are being forced to work without remuneration. Their movement has also been restricted, and they have not been allowed to leave the brickkiln for another location. Further submits that the petitioner has managed to escape from the brick-kiln on the pretext of medical treatment on 07.02.2025 and thereafter approached this Court by filing the present petition. The petitioner, therefore, prays for the immediate release of the detenues, as detailed in the application/representation dated 07.02.2025 (Annexure P-1). 4.

Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submits that he will be satisfied in case respondent No.3, who is the competent authority in terms of Section 16 and 17 of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 (hereinafter to be referred as 'the Act of 1976') is directed to take decision in terms of the judgment rendered by this Court in the case of Murti v. State of Punjab and others (LPA No. 32 of 2013, decided on 11.01.2013). The relevant extract of the said judgment reads thus: "It may be mentioned here that the allegations of the appellant in the writ petition are that the alleged detenues mentioned in para No.3 of the writ petition who are working as labourers at the brick kiln of respondent Nos.6 & 7 are being kept as bonded labours.

There can indeed be no doubt that if a labourer has been detained as bonded labour, it amounts to an offence under Sections 16 & 17 of the Bounded Labour (Abolition) Act, 1976. We, however, clarify that the aforesaid observation does not mean that the allegations levelled by the appellant have been accepted. Suffice it to observe that under the Act, the District Magistrate is under statutory obligation to hold a fact finding enquiry as and when a complaint alleging violation of the provisions of Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act, 1976 is received. Since the appellant in the instant case has specifically averred that the persons mentioned in para No.3 of the writ petition have been detained as bonded labourers, we allow this appeal and setaside/modify the order dated 9.1.

2013 passed by the learned Single Judge to the extent that the petitioner's writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the District Magistrate, Sangrur, to treat this writ petition as a complaint under the 1976 Act and take immediate action in accordance with law, within a period of one week from the date of receiving a certified copy of this order alongwith a copy of the writ petition."

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A further reference is also made to the order passed in the case of Gurnam Singh v. State of Punjab and others (CRWP No. 4666 of 2020, decided on 08.07.2020), which reads thus:

"Accordingly, this Criminal Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to District Magistrate, Fazilka to treat this petition as a complaint under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and take immediate action in accordance with law, within a period of one week from the date of receiving a certified copy of this order along with a copy of the writ petition." 6.

In view of the above, the instant petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No.3 - District Magistrate, District Mohali (Punjab), to look into the grievance of the petitioner, as raised in the instant petition and in case any substance in the allegations is found true, then to take appropriate action under the Act of 1976, in accordance with law, within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order along with copy of the criminal writ petition. 7.

Criminal Writ Petition is disposed of in terms as aforesaid. (SANJAY VASHISTH) JUDGE February 07, 2025 J.Ram Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether Reportable:

Yes/No