Bonded labour without wages: Police rescue 18 from Karnataka’s Hassan

Hassan/ Karnataka: A joint operation conducted by the police and revenue officials rescued at least 18 bonded labourers from a shed in Juttanahalli village of Belur taluk in Hassan district on Thursday, Hindustan Times reported.

Hassan, Additional Superintendent of Police M Thammaiah, said the operation was launched after authorities received credible information that several labourers were being held illegally and forced to work without wages. The tip-off came after one of the victims, identified as Eeranna from Vijayapura district, escaped and alerted his family. His mother subsequently approached the media and authorities, prompting action.

Police said the labourers were confined to a single shed under harsh and restrictive conditions and were not allowed to move freely. They were allegedly forced to work from morning till evening in a ginger field and kept under constant surveillance. Officials termed the conditions a violation of human rights and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act.

The accused have been identified as Nagaraj, 42, and Mohanesh, 45. Investigators said the two allegedly recruited vulnerable individuals from railway stations and other locations by promising employment. Instead, the workers were taken to agricultural fields, made to work without pay, and denied basic facilities and freedom of movement.

Authorities said the rescued workers hail from Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, as well as Haveri, Vijayapura and Gadag districts in Karnataka. Many reportedly had no access to money or communication and were living in fear.

A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Bonded Labour Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). District officials said the rescued labourers would be provided food, shelter, medical care and rehabilitation support.