At least 18 enslaved workers were rescued on Thursday from a shed in Hassan district after one of the victims escaped and informed his family, officials said.
“We received credible information that several workers are being illegally detained and forced to work without wages. Accordingly, we conducted a joint operation with the Revenue Department and succeeded in rescuing 18 bonded workers,” Additional Superintendent of Police Hassan M Thummayah said.
The rescue operation took place in Jotanahalli village in Belur taluk after officials acted on information provided by the family of one of the victims, Irana. His mother, an elderly woman from Vijayapura, had contacted the media and authorities claiming that her son was being held against his will.
Authorities said the workers were found living in harsh and restrictive conditions inside a single shed. “The workers were kept in a single hut and were not allowed to move freely. They were forced to work from morning till evening in the ginger field and were kept under constant surveillance. This is a clear violation of the Human Rights and Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act,” Thammaiah said.
The police identified the accused as Nagaraj (42 years) and Mohansh (45 years). Investigators said the two men recruited vulnerable individuals from railway stations and other locations with promising jobs.
Instead, the workers were taken to agricultural fields and forced to work without pay, while being deprived of basic amenities and freedom of movement, police said.
Officials said that the escape of one of the workers was crucial to uncovering the operation. “One of the victims managed to escape and informed his family, which helped the authorities track the location and start the rescue operation,” Thammaya said. “His courage helped save 17 others from similar exploitation.”
The rescued workers came from multiple states, including Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, as well as districts within Karnataka such as Haveri, Vijayapura and Gadag. Officials said many had no access to money or communications and were living in fear.
“We have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the Bonded Labor Act and BNS. Strict action will be taken against those responsible. Ensuring safety and dignity of workers is our priority,” Thammaiah said.
District authorities said the rescued workers will be provided with rehabilitation, including food, shelter and medical care.
