Bonded labourers set free thanks to colleague's efforts

Chennai, Nov 27 (UNI) Madras High Court today allowed 16 persons allegedly kept as bonded labour in Kolar, Karnataka, to go home.

A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice P K Misra and Mr Justice J A K Sampathkumar gave the permission when police produced Myloo and 15 others before the court, in a Habeas Corpus Petition filed by one Govindan of Salem District.

Disposing of the petition, the bench asked Salem Superintendent of Police and Inspector of Police, Nangavalli, to continue investigation in accordance with law into the complaint against one Venkatesh, who allegedly lured the labourers and kept them bonded in Kolar district.

Govindan said he was a relative of Myloo and the others. They were coolies. One Venkatesh of Kolar asked them to go to Kolar, promising full time employment in stone quarrying with reasonable salary every month and they went there in 2003. For the past three years, they were working there. They were tortured and prescribed norms by the government were violated by Venkatesh, he said.

Life and safety was in danger and so the petitioner escaped. He lodged a complaint with Salem Police in March 2006. But no action was taken. His relatives were still in bondage. He sought to produce them before the court and set them at liberty.

UNI XR AA VA HT1952