Jagga Singh S/o Rudha Singh, Age-52, R/o Village & Post office-Jagdev Kalan, Tehsil-Ajnala, District- Amritsar belongs to “Majhabi Sikh” caste which is declared as a Scheduled Caste by the State Government of Punjab.

July 2012, landlord Tarsem Singh S/o Surta Singh Village- Jagdev Kalan, tehsil- Ajnala, District- Amritsar who belongs to Caste “Jat Sikh” an upper caste has employed him in his agriculture work to work as a “Siri”. He was working in the fields including the cattle work. When Jagga singh joined work of Tarsem Singh, he was given Rs. 40,000 (Rupees Forty Thousand) which he spends for the treatment of his wife and spent for other purpose of house. Tarsem Singh fixed his annual wages Rs. 37,000 (Rupees thirty seven thousand). He worked day & night during the season of wheat and paddy transplantation. After the season he worked from 5 a.m to 9 p.m for the employer including three times meals.  Tarsem Singh did not allow him for weekly rest or any leave for sickness or have any other necessary work in his house. When Jagga Singh did not go to his work then Tarsem Singh imposed fine on him according to his wish and adds this amount. Jaga Singh is diabeticwhenever he demanded his wages from the employer he was paid only Rs.400 (Rupees four hundred) for his medicine instead of this amount the employer has never paid his wages, over time, weekly rest or earned leave. His wife Bholi is working as a domestic worker in another house & his son Sher Singh is working outside as a driver, they are managing the expenses of his house. In October 2012 when Jagga Singh was seriously ill he requested to Tarsem Singh that he do not wish to continue his services with him as he is not physically fit to do his work. When he requested Tarsem Singh to pay him his earned wages he abused him and threaten him that he will not pay him any wages but Jagga Singh will have to pay bonded debt of Rs. 45000/-. Now the employer is demanding Rs. 45000/- as bonded debt amount and threaten him that if he will not pay the bonded debt then he will forcibly took the possession of his residential house and will through him and his all family members outside.

The employer had taken hard  labour from the son of Jagga Singh, whose name is Jodha Singh (Age-16 years). He brought him forcibly and took work from him continuously for ten days when he saw that he is not fit to work like an adult then he sent him back to his house. The employer threatened to Jagga Singh that if he will not pay him the bonded debt he will forcibly took work from a person of his family. Jagga Singh is not well and he does not want to continue his services with Tarsem Singh but Tarsem Singh is forcing him & his family members to work for him up till the bonded debt clear otherwise give him their residential house. The employer came to the house of Jagga Singh and demands the bonded debt from him and his family members and abusing them on caste basis. The complaint for their release and rehabilitation has been sent to DM Amritsar. DDVA filed a complaint to National Human Rights Commission New Delhi on dated 21 November 2012. Know Desa Singh physically free and also free from bonded debt.

There is a tea shop in front of the house of the victim. The accused used to have tea on the tea shop and eve tease the girls those who pass by the shop. When the victim saw that, he objected to it. So the accused abused him in the name of the house, they forcefully entered the house, threatened to kidnap the ladies of the house. They looted Rs.4000 and wrist watch from the victim and ran away by Gun firing.

Legal Standard Breached:

1.       Uttering any word or making any gesture intended to insult the modesty of a woman [sec. 509 IPC].
2.       Everyone has the right of life, liberty and security of person [Art. 3 UDHR and Art. 5(b) CERD].
3.       General recommendation 19 of CEDAW relates to gender-based violence and recommends amongst other things that states should take all legal and other measures that are necessary to provide effective protection of women against gender-based violence including effective legal measures (including penal sanctions), preventive measures (including public information and education programs) and protective measures. 

Satnam Singh s/o Jagsir Singh Satnam Singh  aged 19 years, scheduled caste, resident of Village- Shekhan Kalan, tehsil- Baga Purana, District- Moga. His two family member and other four families are working on M/s Shiv Bhatta Company, Village-Kadiyal, Jalalabad to Kot Esse Kha Road, District- Moga. The current contractors of this brick factory is Gagan Kumar, Jagdish Kumar & Gandhi.  Resham Singh (Jamadar) S/o Chand Singh r/o village- Samad Bhai, tehsil & District- Moga, has brought to Satnam Singh & other four families to work on the brick factory.

 Gagan Kumar, Jagdish Kumar & Gandhi gave advance to all the five families and they started to work as brick molders in vernacular called “Pathera” at the brick factory. When Gagan Kumar, Jagdish Kumar & Gandhi gave the advance amount to the workers they took their thumb impressions/signatures on some blank papers. Gagan Kumar, Jagdish Kumar & Gandhi gave them very petty expense as per the number of bricks made by them (workers). If worker makes 1000 bricks then Gagan Kumar, Jagdish Kumar & Gandhi gave them only Rs.200 at 500 bricks after fifteen days and said them that he will add the balance amount in their accounts and give them when they will be given their wages.

Gagan Kumar, Jagdish Kumar & Gandhi gave very petty expense to the workers and with this petty amount , they could not be able to fulfill the needs of family. The workers requested many times to Gagan Kumar, Jagdish Kumar & Gandhi to increase the expenses but they ignored their request. Satnam Singh was sick; the doctor has diagnosed him as anemic. The doctor advised him to take proper treatment and rest, whereas the brick factory work involves strong hard work and one has to work either in very hot temperature or in the winters, in very cold. Binder Kaur (worker) is also suffering from continuous fever. She has tuberculosis or typhoid. Due to nonpayment of wages she could not have consulted a doctor for herself. From the last one week two children of Sheera Singh & his wife were also sick and without any medical treatment. The worker Jasvir Kaur w/o Shaimber were also sick.

On 21/4/012, all the workers requested accountant of the brick factory to pay them their wages so that they could take medical treatment. The accountany informed that abou the order of employer to not to pay any money to workers.

Similar request was made to Gagan Kumar the partner of the brick factory on 25/4/2012 but the same was turned down. Instead of giving any wages, the employer claimed debt and informed them if they want to go from here, they have to pay, the bonded debt.The workers condition was very detritus as they have no food, no medicine and freedom to move from the premises of brick factory. The workers have requested some of their relatives who have given them some food. As they are also poor and are no better then the condition of the workers on the brick factory they will not be able to assist them for a longer period. The life & liberty of the brick factory workers is in great danger. There can be hunger deaths and one can die without medicine. The letter for their release and rehabilitation for the bonded labourers a letter has been sent to DM Moga. The labourers are physically free but no action has been taken against the employer.