NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of assault on 12 bonded labourers in Muzaffarnagar
The NHRC took suo motu cognizance on 2 July 2026 of a report that 12 bonded labourers were assaulted and forced to work without sufficient food and wages for nearly a year and a half at a paper plate factory in Mandi village, Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh.
Summary
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance on 2 July 2026 of a media report that 12 bonded labourers were assaulted in captivity and forced to work till midnight without sufficient food and wages for nearly a year and a half at a paper plate factory in Mandi village, Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh. One labourer escaped and complained at Titawi Police Station, leading to the rescue; one person was reportedly found dead. The Commission sought a report within two weeks from the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary and DGP, directed the Muzaffarnagar District Magistrate to inquire under the Ministry of Labour's SOP and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and asked for the labourers to be registered on the e-Shram portal under its Advisory 2.0 of 8 December 2021.
Key facts
- Place
- Paper plate factory, Mandi village, Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh
- Victims
- 12 bonded labourers; one reported dead
- Report sought
- UP Chief Secretary and DGP, within two weeks
- Inquiry
- District Magistrate, under MoLE SOP and Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
- Rehabilitation step
- e-Shram registration per NHRC Advisory 2.0 dated 8 December 2021
Practice MCQs 2 questions
In July 2026 the NHRC took suo motu cognizance of the assault on 12 bonded labourers at a paper plate factory in which district of Uttar Pradesh?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Muzaffarnagar
The factory is in Mandi village, Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh; the complaint was filed at Titawi Police Station.
In the Muzaffarnagar bonded labour case (July 2026), the NHRC directed the District Magistrate to inquire as per the Ministry of Labour and Employment's SOP and which law?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
The Commission directed the Muzaffarnagar DM to inquire as per the MoLE SOP and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.