Punjab & Haryana High Court Issues Contempt Notice To Hisar DCP For Failure To Act Against Alleged Bonded Labour Despite Directions

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has issued contempt notice to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) at Hisar for not complying with its direction to take immediate action on a complaint alleging that several labourers are being forced to work as a bonded labours in a brick kiln Company.

While noting that the DCP's response "is not only unsatisfactory but the same has been made in a very casual and cavalier manner", Justice Harpreet Singh Brar said, "It appears that the concerned officer has no regard for the majesty of justice and vindication of law."

On January 03, notice was issued to the DCP to take immediate action on the allegations under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976, within a period of one week.

"Let a notice be issued to respondent No. 2 (DCP, Hisar) to show cause as to why contempt proceedings be not initiated against him for willful disobedience of the directions issued by this Court vide order dated 03.01.2024," the Court directed.

Justice Brar also directed the Registry to appoint a Warrant Officer, to visit the places where the laborers are allegedly detained. In case the Warrant Officer finds that the detenues are in illegal confinement by the owners of M/s Bharat Bricks Company, he shall proceed to set them free "forthwith" and record the statement of the detenues, the Court said.

The Court was hearing a habeas corpus plea filed by one of the alleged detenue who had allegedly escaped from the clutches of the brick kiln owner. The petitioner stated that his wife, minor son and minor daughters are still in illegal confinement of the respondents.

The owners of the Company and their men are violating the mandatory provisions of the Bonded Labourer System Abolition Act of 1976 and they are liable to be prosecuted under section 3, 6, 9 and 17 of the Act and section 345, IPC for illegal confinement and under section 374 IPC for illegally keeping the detenues as bonded labourers without any payment, the plea added.

While deferring the matter for February 09, the bench directed the Warrant Officer to submit the report in compliance of the directions of the Court.

Advocates Sarevesh Kumar Gupta and Ram Bilas Gupta for the petitioner.

Vikas Bhardwaj, AAG Haryana.

Case Title: Ravi v, State of Haryana & Ors.

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