Fifty years after abolition in India, bonded labour endures
This figure is low compared to the rescues of victims of forced labour trafficking reported in the media and the NCRB during the same period. The May 2026 Supreme Court judgment in the Prajwala case is a significant victory for anti-HT advocates.
Explanation in simple terms: This case involves people being illegally forced to work without fair pay or freedom—a practice India officially banned 50 years ago. The update reveals that despite this law, bonded labour still happens in India today. The case against Prajwala and others highlights how this illegal practice continues, showing the gap between laws on paper and reality.