145 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRWP No.10740 of 2026 Date of decision: 02.09.2026 Ravi Kumar …Petitioner Versus State of Haryana and others …Respondents CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE H.S.GREWAL Present :- Mr. Rajender Kumar, Advocate for the petitioner. ***** H.S.GREWAL, J. (Oral) 1. The present petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ in the nature of Habeas Corpus for release of the detenues, along with the belongings mentioned in paragraph No.4 of the present petition, from the alleged illegal custody of respondents No.4 to 7. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the alleged detenues have been working at the brick kiln of respondents No.4 to 7 but they have been illegally detained by respondents No.4 to 7 without any wages and are not allowed to leave the same. 3. Notice of motion to respondents No.1 to 3 only at this stage. 4. At the asking of the Court, Mr. Vishal Kashyap, Senior DAG, Haryana, accepts notice on behalf of respondents No.1 to 3. SEEMA SHARMA 2026.09.03 17:48 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRWP No.10740 of 2026 -2- 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and have also gone through the material placed on record. 6. A Division Bench of this Court, while dealing with a similar case in LPA No. 32 of 2013, decided on 11.01.2013, titled as Murti versus State of Punjab and others has observed that 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 Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act, 1976. It was further observed that the District Magistrate concerned is under statutory obligation to hold a fact finding enquiry as and when a complaint alleging violation of the provisions of the aforesaid Act is received. 7. Consequently, this criminal writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner, Kaithal (respondent No.1) to treat this petition as a complaint under the Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act, 1976 and take immediate action in accordance with law for the release of the alleged detenues, within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order along with a copy of the writ petition. (H.S.GREWAL) 02.09.2026 JUDGE seema Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether Reportable: Yes/No SEEMA SHARMA 2026.09.03 17:48 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document