Bihar teen forced into bonded labour, loses arm: Haryana human rights body takes note of Indian Express report

In an order dated August 13 that was uploaded Thursday morning, the Commission stated that it viewed the incident with “utmost seriousness and deep concern” and also directed authorities to identify and arrest the accused, verify bonded labour practices at the buffalo farm where the boy was reportedly harassed, and submit reports in eight weeks.

According to the report, the boy, a resident of Bihar, reportedly got stranded at Bahadurgarh Railway Station and was lured by a stranger who offered him work at his buffalo dairy farm with a promised salary of Rs 10,000 a month.

Instead of legal employment, the minor was subjected to two months of forced labour and physical abuse.

“His tasks included tending buffaloes and cows, cleaning animal waste, and other grueling farm work. He was given only a few rotis to survive each day and faced brutal beatings for minor mistakes. Once, they thrashed him so badly for a small mistake — it left him unconscious, bleeding from a blow to his forehead,” The Indian Express had reported his ordeal, quoting his elder brother as narrated to him by his brother.

According to the report, the situation worsened after the teen accidentally severed his arm at the elbow while chopping fodder using a machine. He was then “allegedly abandoned by the employer in an isolated area, with no aid”.

The injured boy walked 150 km to Nuh — clutching his severed arm — where a teacher rescued him and informed the police.

The Commission, comprising chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, stated, “The facts reveal not only physical harm and violation of human dignity but also a complete breakdown of protective mechanisms meant to safeguard children from such exploitation. The boy’s survival without food, water, or medical care for several days and his eventual rescue by a compassionate teacher reflect both his helplessness and extraordinary resilience.”

The Commission also stated that the failure to detect and prevent this incident in time raises serious concerns about monitoring and rescue mechanisms in vulnerable migration corridors.

Justice Lalit Batra, heading the Full Commission, noted that “such treatment of a minor constitutes a clear violation of international legal obligations, particularly Article 32 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which mandates protection of children from economic exploitation and from performing work likely to be hazardous or harmful to their health, education, or development. The act also prima facie violates several domestic laws, including the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986”.

Furthermore, the Commission observed that if proven true, the allegations amount to a gross violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 21 and 23 of the Constitution, which ensure the right to live with dignity and prohibit human trafficking and forced labour.

“Considering the gravity of the allegations and the victim’s vulnerable condition, the Full Commission unanimously held that this case requires urgent and comprehensive investigation, ensuring accountability of those responsible and providing the victim with appropriate medical, psychological, and rehabilitation support”, said Dr Puneet Arora, Protocol, Information & Public Relations Officer, HHRC.

The Commission directed the Deputy Commissioners of Jind and Nuh to submit reports on compensation, investigation, and welfare measures. The Superintendents of Police, Jind and Nuh, were asked to conduct inquiries, including identification of the accused and verification of bonded labour practices at the dairy.

The Civil Surgeon, Nuh, is to furnish a medical report on the boy’s injuries and treatment. The Child Protection Officer, Nuh, is directed to prepare a rehabilitation plan, including psychological counselling and repatriation. The Assistant Labour Commissioner, Jind, is directed to conduct necessary inspections of the establishment and report on labour violations.

The matter is listed next on November 4.

The Bahadurgarh police had on August 10 lodged an FIR in the matter against unknown persons based on a complaint by the boy’s father.

Since the boy could only recall that the place was surrounded by trees and could not identify the exact location, the police said they have been facing difficulties in tracing the bonded labour site or identifying its owners.

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