New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a notice on a plea seeking the release of 187 bonded labour victims held in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
The apex court bench led by Justice L Nageswara Rao listed the matter to be heard again on June 9.
The PIL, filed by Zahid Hussain, alleged inaction on the part of District Magistrates of Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh and Rohtas in Bihar. The plea accused the two DMs of not acting promptly to rescue the bonded labourers working in brick kilns despite the directions issued by the National Human Rights Commission on May 11.
The bench, which also comprised of Justices Krishna Murari and S Ravindra Bhat, directed both the DMs to submit a report on the action taken by them to liberate the bonded labours.
"The respondent Nos 3 and 4 (DMs of both states) are directed to file a detailed report of the action taken by them pursuant to the directions issued by NHRC before the next date of hearing," read the court order.
The court also directed that a copy of Hussain's petition be submitted before the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
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