Sharmila v. State Of Punjab And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT

CHANDIGARH CRWP-3039-2026 Date of Decision: 16.03.2026 Date of Uploading: 16.03.2026 Sharmila .....Petitioner.

Versus

State of Punjab and others .....Respondents.

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL ***** Present:- Mr. Sham Lal Saha, Advocate for the petitioner.

SUMEET GOEL, J.(Oral) Through the instant writ of habeas corpus, as instituted under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner seeks appointment of a Warrant Officer to visit the spot and to ensure the release of detenus, as enumerated in paragraph No.4 of the writ petition, who have been allegedly illegally detained and forced to work as bonded labour by the private respondents No.4 and 5.

2.

This Court has perused the case file.

3.

At this stage, notice of motion to the respondents No.1 to 3 only.

4.

Mr. Jaypreet Singh, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab, waives service of notice on behalf of the respondents No.1 to 3. 5.

Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in 'Murti versus The State of Punjab and others', LPA No.32 of 2013, decided on 11.01.2013, has made the hereinafter extracted observations:- "It may be mentioned here that the allegations of the appellant in the writ petition are that the alleged detenues YAG DUTT 2026.03.16 18:36 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document

CRWP-3039-2026 -2mentioned in para No.3 of the writ petition who are working as labourers at the brick kiln of respondent Nos.4 & 5 are being kept as bonded labourers. 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 set aside / 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.

In view of the above referred judicial precedent, this Criminal Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the District Magistrate, Sangrur, to treat this petition as a complaint under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and to take immediate action in accordance with law, within a period of one week from the date of receiving a copy of this order, along with a copy of the writ petition. 7.

A copy of this order alongwith a copy of the petition be supplied, by the Registry, to learned State counsel and be also sent to the District Magistrate, Sangrur, for ensuring requisite compliance. (SUMEET GOEL) March 16, 2026 JUDGE Yag Dutt Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether Reportable:

Yes/No YAG DUTT 2026.03.16 18:36 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document