Uttarakhand man rescued after 15 years as Bonded Labourer in Punjab; action taken after viral video, FIR filed

Chamoli: A harrowing case of bonded labour came to light this week when Rajesh Lal, a resident of Narayanbagh in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, was rescued from a cowshed in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district after allegedly being held captive and forced to work under inhumane conditions for 15 years.

The case surfaced after a video of Rajesh working in cattle shed in Dinewal village went viral on social media, showing him in visibly distressing circumstances. The footage quickly drew widespread outrage and triggered urgent calls for intervention from Uttarakhand political leaders. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Garhwal MP Anil Baluni personally sought help from Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria.

Rajesh had left his village in 2008 in search of work

Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said Rajesh had left his village in 2008 in search of work. His family lost contact with him in 2010. The district administration is now coordinating efforts to bring him home. Tharali Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pankaj Bhatt, who visited Rajesh’s house in Kaub (Bhuliada) village, confirmed the family’s account and assured support.

“I met his sister-in-law and sister, who told me that Rajesh left for Punjab in 2008. He was in touch for two years before all communication ceased. We’re in touch with an NGO, and Rajesh will be brought back within a week,” Bhatt said. When Rajesh’s mother and sister received word of his rescue, they immediately traveled to Punjab. The emotional reunion brought tears to all—after 15 long years, they embraced Rajesh and wept together.

MP Baluni thanked the Punjab Governor for his rapid response

In a social media post, MP Baluni thanked the Punjab Governor for his rapid response: “Thanks to the quick intervention and swift action of Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, a youth from Narayanbagh in Chamoli has been rescued from bonded labour after 15 long years.”

The district administration in Chamoli has pledged all possible support for Rajesh’s rehabilitation and reintegration. Meanwhile, local authorities continue to investigate how Rajesh ended up in captivity and remained under exploitative conditions for over a decade without detection. Rajesh’s family, while heartbroken over the lost years, is relieved to have him back—and grateful for the public outcry and administrative response that ended his long ordeal.