NHRC Issues Notice to UP Government Over Horrific Bonded Labour Case in Muzaffarnagar
New Delhi / Muzaffarnagar:
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognizance of shocking media reports detailing the severe physical abuse and exploitation of 12 bonded labourers at a paper plate manufacturing unit in Mandi village, located in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district.
According to the reports, the victims were held captive, forced to work until midnight without proper sustenance, and denied their lawful wages for nearly a year and a half.
Escape, Rescue, and Severe Physical Abuse
The severe exploitation came to light after one of the captive labourers managed to escape from the facility and lodged a formal complaint at the Titawi Police Station. Acting on the information, law enforcement authorities raided the factory and rescued the remaining workers.
A subsequent medical examination of the rescued individuals revealed horrific details of prolonged physical torture, including deep cuts, fractures, severe bruising, and other bodily injuries. Shockingly, police investigations have already confirmed the death of one worker, and ongoing inquiries are underway to determine if there were additional fatalities at the site.
High-Level Interventions and Legal Notices
Observing that the allegations, if true, point to a gross and egregious violation of human rights, the Commission has taken strict administrative action:
-
Notices to Top Officials: The NHRC has issued formal notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh, demanding a comprehensive and detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
-
Statutory Inquiry Ordered: The District Magistrate of Muzaffarnagar has been directed to conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and the Standard Operating Procedures laid down by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
-
Rehabilitation and Registration: The Commission has mandated the immediate registration of the rescued workers on the e-Shram Portal, as well as the implementation of welfare measures prescribed under the NHRC Advisory 2.0 dated December 8, 2021.
Lured Across State Borders Using Intimidation
Media reports from June 25, 2026, reveal that the traffickers targeted vulnerable individuals at railway stations, bus stands, and public spaces, luring them with false promises of steady employment, free accommodation, and regular food. The victims hail from multiple regions across India—including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand—as well as neighboring Nepal.
Upon their arrival at the Muzaffarnagar factory, the employers allegedly confiscated the workers' mobile phones and official identity documents to completely cut off communication with their families. Furthermore, it is alleged that aggressive pit bull dogs were intentionally used by the factory management to terrify the labourers and prevent any escape attempts.