41 labourers rescued from forced confinement in Indapur

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

In a decisive operation, authorities rescued 41 individuals, including 22 laborers and 19 children, from captivity in Reda village, Indapur taluka, Pune district, on Saturday. The intervention followed a complaint lodged with Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district collector Deelip Swami by the laborers’ family members. Legal action has been initiated against the contractor and tractor owners involved.

Sandeep Thakre from Kannad and others reported on March 25 that their relatives had been forcibly confined in Indapur teshil. The victims had been taken for sugarcane-cutting work on October 16, 2024, by contractor Raghunath Sonawane and several tractor owners. Despite receiving an advance of Rs 12 lakh for 11 sickles (22 laborers), the workers were denied wages for six months. Essential food supplies and fodder for their cattle were withheld, resulting in the death of a cow.

Exacerbating their plight, the tractor owners demanded Rs 8 lakh from the laborers and issued death threats when they failed to pay. Responding swiftly, collector Swami engaged with the pune district collector and the deputy commissioner of the Labour Welfare Board. A coordinated rescue effort, led by the Tehsildar of Indapur and local police, ensured the safe release of the laborers and their families.

3 accused in custody

Following a complaint by Vishnu Gaikwad from Nevpur, Kannad tehsil, authorities registered a case against Raghunath Sonawane, Sanjay Devkar, and Vikas Devkar. The charges include wrongful confinement, assault on women, and physical violence against workers between February 11 and March 26, 2025. Investigations are underway, with all three accused currently in police custody.