Tragic Bonded Labor Case Sparks NHRC Investigation in Bihar
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India has stepped in following reports of a horrifying incident involving a 15-year-old boy from Kishanganj district, Bihar. After being separated from his father at Bahadurgarh Railway Station in Haryana, the boy endured months of bonded labor, ultimately suffering a severe injury.
According to media reports, the ordeal began when the boy disembarked from the train to fetch water but could not return due to the overwhelming crowd. His father, left unaware of his son’s plight, continued on to their destination. Over the next eight months, the boy endured harsh conditions under forced labor, during which he lost his left elbow due to an accident involving a fodder-cutting machine.
The NHRC’s inquiry was prompted by these troubling reports, which suggest a significant violation of human rights. Notices have been issued to key authorities, including the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police in Haryana, along with the Commissioner of Police in Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, and the District Magistrate of Kishanganj. The Commission has requested responses within two weeks.
Forced Labor and No Rehabilitation
The reports state that after missing his train, the boy spent two days at the railway station before being lured by a man promising employment. Taken to Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, he was forced to work long hours, including grazing cattle and cutting fodder. His employer subjected him to regular beatings and physical abuse.
In a desperate attempt to escape his situation, the boy tried to flee but was recaptured and punished severely. Tragically, his arm got trapped in a fodder-cutting machine, leading to a life-altering injury. Rather than assisting him, his employer abandoned him on a roadside, leaving the boy to fend for himself.
Fortunately, a passerby took him to a hospital, but fear of being caught once more drove him to escape. He then walked barefoot for over three kilometers before encountering two school teachers, who reported his situation to the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Bahadurgarh. Eventually, he returned home in August 2025, but not without severe trauma.
Calls for Action and Support
Compounding the severity of his situation is the lack of a Bonded Labour Release Certificate, a vital document for accessing rehabilitation and compensation under the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers-2021. The NHRC has asked if any compensation has been provided to the victim, as well as whether a Disability Certificate has been issued to facilitate access to services under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act, 2016.
This tragic incident has highlighted serious concerns regarding child labor and the implementation of laws protecting vulnerable individuals in India. The NHRC’s intervention is a crucial step toward addressing these violations and ensuring justice for the young victim of this harrowing circumstance.
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