RAJA S/O RANGANATHAN Vs. PALANI CHETTIAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Criminal appeal is directed against the Judgment passed by the learned Additional District and Sessions Judge, Fast Track Court No.I, Chengalpattu made in C.A.No.126 of 2007 dated 19.08.2010, to set aside the judgment of acquittal and to confirm the order of conviction passed by the Judicial Magistrate No.I, Chengalpattu made in CC.No.318 of 2005 dated 16.10.2007.

(2.) The appellant/victim/PW7 has filed the present appeal against the order of the lower appellate Court.

(3.) On 20.07.2005, PW1 to PW5/Revenue Officials based on the source information inspected the Velavan Rice Mill on 20.07.2005 conducted enquiry and found 17 labourers including PW6 and PW7 has been employed as bonded labourers by the accused by paying advance amount of Rs.5,000/- to Rs.10,000/- towards bonded debt and they were not permitted to go outside the rice mill and the accusedill-treated the labourers and when one Elappan questioned the conduct of the accused, he was beaten and threatened by the accused. During the course of inspection, 17 persons containing 9 families had been employed as bonded labourers in the rice mill. Hence, the accused is liable to be punished under Section 374 IPC r/w sections 16 and 18 of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. The PW1 to PW5/Revenue Officials rescued the bonded labourers and given each Rs.1000/- as rehabilitation amount and they were sent to their respective native places.