NHRC Seeks Reports After Minor From Bihar Forced Into Bonded Labour Following Separation at Haryana Railway Station

New Delhi, January 15: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a disturbing incident involving a minor boy who was allegedly forced into bonded labour for several months after being separated from his father at Bahadurgarh Railway Station in Haryana.

According to media reports, the 15-year-old boy, a resident of Bihar’s Kishanganj district, was travelling with his father when he stepped off the train to fetch drinking water. Due to heavy crowding at the station, he was unable to re-board the train and was left behind. The boy reportedly remained at the railway station for two days before being approached by an individual who promised him employment.

The child was allegedly taken to the Greater Noida region of Gautam Budh Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh, where he was forced to work under exploitative conditions for nearly eight months. Reports suggest that he was made to perform physically demanding tasks from early morning until late night, including cattle grazing and fodder cutting, and was subjected to repeated physical abuse.

The situation reportedly worsened when the boy attempted to escape but was caught and beaten. During his captivity, his left arm was severely injured and later amputated at the elbow after an accident involving a fodder-cutting machine. It is alleged that the employer abandoned the injured child on the roadside without providing any medical assistance.

The boy was later taken to a hospital in Haryana’s Nuh district by an unidentified individual. Fearing further exploitation, he reportedly fled the hospital and walked barefoot for several kilometres until two government school teachers noticed his condition and alerted the Government Railway Police at Bahadurgarh. The child eventually managed to return to his home in August 2025.

Taking note of the seriousness of the allegations, the NHRC observed that the incident, if confirmed, points to grave violations of human rights. The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Haryana, the Commissioner of Police of Gautam Budh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, and the District Magistrate of Kishanganj in Bihar, seeking detailed reports within two weeks.

The Commission has also sought clarification on whether the victim has received compensation and whether a Bonded Labour Release Certificate has been issued, which is essential for rehabilitation and financial assistance under the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers, 2021. Additionally, authorities have been asked to confirm whether a disability certificate has been provided to enable the child to access benefits under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

The NHRC said the matter requires urgent attention to ensure accountability, rehabilitation, and justice for the victim.