Tragic Ordeal and Bonded Labour
The boy reportedly stepped off the train at Bahadurgarh Railway Station to fetch water and could not reboard due to the heavy crowd. Following this, he went missing for eight months and was subjected to forced labour by an employer in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, performing physically demanding tasks such as grazing cattle and cutting fodder. He suffered frequent physical abuse, and his left hand was severed at the elbow in a fodder-cutting machine. The boy was abandoned without medical aid before being rescued by teachers and the GRP Bahadurgarh, eventually returning home in August 2025.
Legal and Rehabilitation Concerns
Media reports revealed that the boy has yet to receive the mandatory Bonded Labour Release Certificate, which is required for rehabilitation and compensation under the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers-2021. The NHRC has directed authorities to clarify whether compensation has been provided and whether a Disability Certificate has been issued to enable benefits under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act, 2016.
Notices Issued to Authorities
The NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Haryana, the Commissioner of Police, Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, and the District Magistrate, Kishanganj, Bihar. Authorities are required to submit detailed reports within two weeks, outlining the steps taken to address the incident and ensure the boy receives rehabilitation, medical care, and legal protection.
Human Rights and Public Awareness
The Commission emphasised that such incidents represent grave human rights violations, highlighting the vulnerabilities of children separated from guardians and forced into labour. NHRC’s prompt suo motu action underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring, effective law enforcement, and public awareness to prevent exploitation of minors.
Way Forward
The NHRC’s intervention aims to ensure immediate rehabilitation for the victim, legal accountability for the perpetrators, and stronger mechanisms to protect children from bonded labour. Authorities are also expected to strengthen documentation, monitoring, and awareness campaigns to prevent similar incidents in the future.
