The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in a case filed by Dilip Dash, a human rights activist of Bhawanipatna, on suffering of 60 kiln workers in a brick kiln of Karimnagar in Telangana,

has directed the Karimnagar District Magistrate to declare the workers as bonded 

labourers and issue bonded labour certificates in their favour.

Kaikeyi Jagat and her minor daughter along with 58 other workers of Boden block of Nuapada district were working in SVB Brick Kiln located in Karimnagar of Telengana. The workers were taken to the kiln owned by one Jagannath Santosh Rao as migrant labour by one Nila Meher of Lathor village of Balangir district six months ago. Jagatram, Kaikeyi's husband, who was at home in the village Sargiguda to look after two other children suddenly fell ill in March and died. Kaikeyi wanted to return home with her daughter but the owner allowed only Kaikeyi and forcibly kept the minor daughter as hostage to force Kaikeyi to return to the kiln after completing funeral of her husband. The kiln owner turned down the widow's repeated requests over telephone to leave her daughter. She also learnt from her daughter that the owner was torturing the girl as Kaikeyi didn't return. Kaikeyi had approached the local police helplessly. 

The Commission taking Das's case into cognizance directed the District Magistrate, Karimnagar to depute a competent officer for a spot inquiry and identification of bonded labour, if any. The DM, Karimnagar in his report submitted to the commission stated that the employer Santosh Rao had engaged 60 workers belonging to Odisha, to work in his establishment in Parandla village. Two workers had returned to their native place on death of a family member and 58 workers were working in the establishment.

Stating about the statements of the workers, the report mentioned, "The owner of the brick kiln provided all basic amenities to the workers and there is no pending issue and the allegations made by the complainant seems to be not genuine." However, the DM's report on the other hand mentioned that the brick kiln didn't have registration records as well as other documents under the Inter-State Migrant Workers Act and Child and Adolescent Labour Act. 

The NHRC, after perusing the records observed, "When no statutory record was maintained and produced before the inquiry team by the employer there shall be presumption that labourers engaged are bonded labourers and their release certificates shall be issued for rehabilitation, as per the decisions of the Supreme Court."

The commission has directed the District Magistrate, Karimnagar to take lawful action to declare the labourers as bonded labourers and to issue their release certificate for rehabilitation. The DM has also been directed to ensure strict compliance with Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and the ‘Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer-2021’ issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India in this regard. Compliance report is to be furnished to the Commission within four weeks.