SURESH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Prayer has been made for release of the petitioner and his family members, his co-workers, namely, Raj Kumar son of Mam Chand, Om Bir son of Rattan, Bhanu son of Bishamber, Chhotu, Vijay Pal, Yash Pal son of Suraj Mal, Shobha son of Bishamber, Sita Ram, Jaga son of Manga, Ram Diya son of Aantu, Ajay, Ram Kumar son of Manga, Ram Sharan, Ram Singh, Dheer Singh son of Ram Pal, Ram Pal son of Ratan, Mithun son of Suresh, Satish son of Phul Singh, Suraj Mal son of Sukhwa, Bir Singh, Meer Singh, Monu son of Omi Chand Phul Chaman son of Puran alongwith their family members, who, according to the petitioner, have been illegally detained by Rikoo, owner and Bansi, Munshi of brick kiln under the name and style of M/s W5 situated at village Sherpur, Police Station Jagraon, District Ludhiana.

(2.) According to the petitioner, he and the other aforementioned detenus had been working at the brick kiln in question since 22.8.2011 for making raw bricks. They were assured that for the work, to be done by them, they would be paid wages as per government rates. However, for the last 17 days, they had no work to perform. When they requested the owner and the Munshi of the brick kiln to allow them to leave the said place for going to their respective homes and earning their livelihood, they were not allowed to do so. Rather, they were beaten by the owner and the Munshi of the kiln besides certain undesirable elements.

(3.) At the asking of the Court, Mr. P.S. Paul, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab, who is present in the Court, accepts notice.