Over 30 Bonded Labourers, Including Children, Rescued From Brick Kiln In Karnataka

Last Updated:February 15, 2026, 17:05 IST

The workers, belonging to nine families from Odisha, were reportedly trafficked to Karnataka after being promised advances ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per family.

At least 34 bonded labourers, including children, were rescued by officials of the Bagalkot district administration in Sankalapur village of Ilakal taluk, about 50 km from the district headquarters.

The rescue operation was carried out by a team led by Deputy Commissioner Sangappa M, District Labour Officer Ramesh S Sumbad and police personnel after receiving a complaint from Spandana Association, a local NGO.

As per news reports, all 34 workers were allegedly held captive and forced to work at a brick kiln. The workers, belonging to nine families from Odisha, were reportedly trafficked to Karnataka after being promised advances ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per family.

According to Spandana director Sushila, the workers were initially told they would be employed in Vijayawada. They were taken there by bus and later transported by train to Bagalkot. Only weeks after beginning work did they realise they were in Karnataka.

“They were first told they would be working in Vijayawada and were taken there by bus by the trafficker. From there, they were brought by train to Bagalkot. Only two weeks after beginning work did they learn from local labourers that they were in Karnataka," Sushila told Deccan Herald.

The labourers, including children, had been working at the kiln since November 2025. They were allegedly made to work for over 16 hours a day with minimal breaks and were not allowed to leave the premises as families. Each family reportedly received only Rs 800 per week, far below the promised amount.

The workers claimed that they were physically and verbally abused by the kiln owner and his sons and were threatened when they questioned the conditions.

The victims used to live in temporary huts made of bricks without access to adequate water or sanitation. They said that their movement was strictly restricted, and only one family member was permitted to visit the market each week under supervision.

The employer is currently absconding and is alleged to have taken away the Aadhaar cards of the workers.

Deputy Commissioner Sangappa M said immediate action was taken upon receiving the complaint.

“We took action immediately after receiving the complaint. Considering the number of individuals rescued, I will discuss with officials about the practicality of conducting special drives to eradicate bonded labour," Sangappa M told the news outlet.

District Labour Officer Ramesh S Sumbad said an FIR has been registered against the brick kiln owner. “All the rescued individuals underwent a health check-up. They are fit to travel. They are boarding the train to Odisha tonight," he said.

All rescued individuals underwent health check-ups and were found fit to travel. They were temporarily lodged in a government hostel and were scheduled to board a train to Odisha.

With this operation, 99 bonded labourers have been rescued from three brick kilns and one sugarcane farm in Bagalkot district since December 2025.

News india Over 30 Bonded Labourers, Including Children, Rescued From Brick Kiln In Karnataka

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