A shocking case of bonded labour has emerged from Punjab involving Rajesh Lal, a youth from Kaub village in Narayanbagad block, Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Rajesh, who was allegedly held captive and forced into labour at a cattle shed (tabela) for over three years, has been rescued but remains in critical condition. The three accused dairy operators — Miyan Gujar, Maskin Gujar, and Deen Gujar — have gone absconding. Police raids are underway to arrest them.
According to Rajesh, he was lured from Pathankot three years ago and held hostage in Deenewal village. He was underfed, drugged through food, and beaten with sticks. “We were locked inside rooms at night to prevent escape,” Rajesh recalled. Another elderly man was also found captive at the tabela, having reportedly spent over eight years in similar conditions. Rajesh suffered head injuries and remains mentally disoriented, prompting doctors to refer him to the district hospital in Tarn Taran for advanced treatment.
Rajesh’s parents, Asharam and Vimla Devi, who are currently with him in Punjab, said he had gone missing in 2008 while working at a pharmaceutical unit in Himachal Pradesh. After years of no contact, they finally located him with help from a local rescue organisation. His deteriorated condition has left the family in distress.
The rescued elderly man, identified as 50-year-old Santosh Kumar, claims to be from Bisitola in Bihar but is unable to share further details due to his psychological condition. Both Rajesh and Santosh have been kept under protective care at the Dandan Baba Ratnadev Ji Ashram in Marhana village, Tarn Taran.
Advocate Hira Singh Sandhu, who played a key role in the rescue operation, stated that the victims were chained at night to prevent escape. Authorities are trying to trace Santosh Kumar’s family while further investigation into the trafficking and abuse network is underway.
