NHRC Seeks Report Over Alleged Bonded Labour, Torture of 12 Workers at Muzaffarnagar Factory

July 3, 2026 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging that 12 bonded labourers were held captive, brutally assaulted and forced to work under inhuman conditions for nearly one and a half years at a paper plate manufacturing factory in Mandi village of Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district.

According to the Commission, the workers were allegedly compelled to work until midnight every day without adequate food or wages while being subjected to prolonged physical abuse. The matter came to light after one of the labourers managed to escape from the factory and lodged a complaint at the Titawi Police Station, leading to a rescue operation in which the remaining workers were freed.

Medical examinations reportedly revealed multiple injuries on the rescued labourers, including bruises, cuts, fractures and other signs of sustained physical violence. During the investigation, police also found that one person had died, while authorities are examining whether there were additional deaths linked to the alleged bonded labour operation.

Taking serious note of the allegations, the NHRC observed that if the contents of the media report are found to be true, they constitute a grave violation of human rights. The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh and the Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report on the incident within two weeks.

The Commission has also directed the Muzaffarnagar District Magistrate to conduct an inquiry in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. In addition, the District Magistrate has been instructed to ensure immediate registration of all rescued labourers on the e-Shram Portal and implement the measures prescribed under the NHRC Advisory 2.0 dated December 8, 2021.

As per the media report published on June 25, 2026, the victims belonged to several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, while a few were reportedly from Nepal. They were allegedly lured from railway stations, bus stands and other public places with promises of employment, regular wages, food and accommodation.

After reaching the factory, their mobile phones and identity documents were allegedly confiscated, cutting off contact with their families. The report further alleged that pit bull dogs were used to intimidate the labourers and prevent escape, creating an atmosphere of fear and captivity.

The NHRC has sought a comprehensive report from the Uttar Pradesh authorities detailing the action taken against those responsible, the status of the investigation, rehabilitation measures for the rescued labourers and compliance with the legal safeguards available to victims of bonded labour.