Gurpreet Singh vs State Of Punjab And Ors

Punjab-Haryana High Court

Gurpreet Singh vs State Of Punjab And Ors on 22 October, 2024

Author: Kirti Singh

Bench: Kirti Singh

                               IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
                                            AT CHANDIGARH

                      140                                                CRWP-10253-2024
                                                                         Decided on :22.10.2024
                      GURPREET SINGH
                                                                                   . . . Petitioner(s)
                                                        Versus
                      STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS
                                                                                . . . Respondent(s)

                      CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE KIRTI SINGH

                      PRESENT: Mr. A.S.Gulati, Advocate
                               for the petitioner(s).
                                                      ****

                      KIRTI SINGH, J. (Oral)

The present writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of writ in the nature of Habeas Corpus directing the official respondents to get detenues mentioned in paragraph No.4 of the petition, released from the illegal custody of respondent No. 4.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the detenues were contacted by respondent No.4 and offered work at the respondent's brick kiln to do labour work. Now respondent No.4 has kept the detenues under illegal confinement and they are not allowed to move anywhere. Respondent No.4 is forcing them to work without payment of their salaries.

3. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner submits that he will be satisfied in case respondent No.2, who is the competent authority in terms of Section 16 and 17 of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 (hereinafter to be referred as 'the Act of 1976') is directed to take decision in terms of the judgment rendered by this Court in the case of Murti v. State of Punjab and others (LPA No. 32 of 2013, decided on 11.01.2013). The relevant extract of the said judgment reads KAVITA NAIN 2024.10.22 17:04 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document order/judgment CRWP-10253-2024 -2- thus:

"It may be mentioned here that the allegations of the appellant in the writ petition are that the alleged detenues mentioned in para No.3 of the writ petition who are working as labourers at the brick kiln of respondent Nos.4 & 5 are being kept as bonded labours. There can indeed be no doubt that if a labourer has been detained as bonded labour, it amounts to an offence under Sections 16 & 17 of the Bounded Labour (Abolition) Act, 1976. We, however, clarify that the aforesaid observation does not mean that the allegations levelled by the appellant have been accepted. Suffice it to observe that under the Act, the District Magistrate is under statutory obligation to hold a fact finding enquiry as and when a complaint alleging violation of the provisions of Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act, 1976 is received. Since the appellant in the instant case has specifically averred that the persons mentioned in para No.3 of the writ petition have been detained as bonded labourers, we allow this appeal and set-aside/modify the order dated 9.1.2013 passed by the learned Single Judge to the extent that the petitioner's writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the District Magistrate, Sangrur, to treat this writ petition as a complaint under the 1976 Act and take immediate action in accordance with law, within a period of one week from the date of receiving a certified copy of this order alongwith a copy of the writ petition."

4. A further reference is also made to the order passed in the case of Gurnam Singh v. State of Punjab and others (CRWP No. 4666 of 2020, decided on 08.07.2020), which reads thus:

"Accordingly, this Criminal Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to District Magistrate, Fazilka to treat this petition as a complaint under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and take immediate action in accordance with law, within a period of one week from the date of receiving a certified copy KAVITA NAIN of this order along with a copy of the writ petition."

5. In view of the above, the instant petition is disposed of with a direction to the District Magistrate, Hoshiarpur to look into the grievance of the petitioner, as raised in the instant petition and in case any substance in the allegations is found true, then to take appropriate action under the Act of 1976, in accordance with law, within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order along with copy of the criminal writ petition.

6. Criminal Writ Petition is disposed of in terms as aforesaid.

(KIRTI SINGH) JUDGE 22.10.2024 Kavita Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether Reportable: Yes/No KAVITA NAIN 2024.10.22 17:04 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document order/judgment