Badal v. State Of Punjab And ORS

CRWP-2119-2025 -1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRWP-2119-2025 Date of Decision: March 01, 2025 Badal ......Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab and others ......Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE RAJESH BHARDWAJ

Present:

Mr.D.C.Dhaula, Advocate for the petitioner.

........

RAJESH BHARDWAJ, J.(ORAL) 1.

This petition has been filed under Articles 226/27 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a writ in the nature of Habeas Corpus with a roving writ and appoint a Warrant Officer, who will visit the spot and if the detenue mentioned in Para No.4 are found in illegal custody then they be set at liberty forthwith alongwith their belongings. 2.

Notice of motion to the official respondents only. 3.

On asking of the Court, Mr.J.S.Arora, DAG, Punjab, who is present in Court, has accepted notice on behalf of official respondents. 4.

Learned counsel for the petitioner has restricted his prayer to the extent that the present petition be disposed of with a direction to respondent No. 2 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 stipulated period. 5.

A Division Bench of this Court in LPA No. 32 of 2013, titled MEENU 2025.03.01 15:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 'Murti versus The State of Punjab and others', has held as under:

CRWP-2119-2025 -2- "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 1 of 2 working as labourers at the brick kiln of respondent Nos. 4 & 5 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 Bonded 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."

6.

Accordingly, this Criminal Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to District Magistrate-cum Deputy Commissioner, District SBS Nagar, 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 receipt of a certified copy of this order along with a copy of the writ petition. March 01, 2025 ( RAJESH BHARDWAJ ) meenuss JUDGE 1.

Whether speaking/reasoned ?

Yes/No 2.

Whether reportable ?

Yes/No MEENU 2025.03.01 15:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document