Supreme Court of India mandates rapid rehabilitation for bonded labourers

The Supreme Court of India has issued nationwide directions to ensure the uniform implementation of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers.

Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh ruled that release certificates for identified bonded labourers must ordinarily be issued within 24 hours of determination. Following certification, immediate financial assistance should be provided within seven days, subject to verification. Furthermore, individual rehabilitation plans and the initiation of related measures must begin within 90 days of a rescue.

The court emphasized that immediate assistance cannot be withheld simply because criminal proceedings are pending, and interstate disputes must not delay payments. States and Union Territories have six months to implement the revised standard operating procedure (SOP), while the Union government is required to issue supplementary guidelines in consultation with the National Human Rights Commission within three months.