The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging that about 12 bonded labourers were kept in captivity, assaulted, and forced to work till midnight without sufficient food and wages for nearly one and a half years at a paper plate manufacturing factory in Mandi village, Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh.
According to the press release, one of the labourers allegedly managed to escape from the factory and lodged a complaint at the Titawi Police Station, following which the remaining labourers were rescued. Their medical examination revealed multiple injuries, including bruises, cuts, fractures and signs of prolonged physical abuse. In the investigation death of one person was found, while investigation is underway to ascertain whether there were more deaths.
Observing that the contents of the media report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, calling for a detailed report within two weeks. The NHRC has also directed the District Magistrate, Muzaffarnagar, to inquire into the matter in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure of the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. The NHRC has further directed immediate registration of the rescued labourers on the e-Shram Portal in terms of the NHRC Advisory 2.0 dated 8 December 2021.
As per the media report carried on 25 June 2026, the rescued labourers belonged to different States, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, while a few were from Nepal. They were reportedly lured from railway stations, bus stands and other public places on the promise of employment, regular wages, food and accommodation. Upon reaching the factory, their mobile phones and identity documents were allegedly confiscated, preventing them from contacting their families. The report further alleged that pit bull dogs were used to intimidate the labourers and prevent them from escaping.
Source: Government of India, Press Information Bureau
