(1.) This writ petition has been filed for the following reliefs:-1]. To issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus directing the respondent no. 1 to 4 and 6 to take immediate action on the complaints/representations contained in Annexure Nos. 1, 2 and 3 dated 23-2-2008, 16-3-2008 and 17-03-2008 to the writ petition of the labourers in view of the provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976 and other provisions of law and to enforce the mandatory provisions of the Act. 2]. To issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus commanding the respondents to provide the protection and liberty to the labourers concerned forth with. 3]. To issue a writ order or direction in the nature of mandamus directing the respondent to ensure release of the earned wages of the labourers as narrated in Annexure No. 1 to the writ petition as the part of the economic back up to the labourers concerned in view of the provisions of above Act. 4]. To award the cost of this writ petition to the petitioner.
(2.) ACCORDING to the petitioner, he as well as other persons including other six members of his family are being kept as bonded labour by the brick kiln owner respondent no. 5. The petitioners and other labourers demanded payment of the work done but the respondent no. 5 and his hired muscle men detained them forcibly against their will and they are being forced to work without any payment. The petitioner any how managed to escape from the custody of respondent no. 5 and made representation to the District Magistrate and other higher authorities, but nothing has been done so far.
(3.) THE grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner and other labourers belong to weaker section of the society and they have rendered labour work worth more than Rs. 85,000/-, but the labourers have been paid an amount of Rs. 45,000/- in all and rest of their wage money worth Rs. 40,000/- has been illegally withheld by the respondent no. 5/owner of the brick kiln as mentioned in paragraph nos. 16 and 17 of the writ petition.