Thane, February 27 – A brick kiln owner in Bhiwandi has been booked for allegedly forcing a tribal couple into bonded labor and assaulting the woman's husband, police officials confirmed on Thursday.
The case was registered after a 30-year-old woman from the Katkari community lodged a complaint at the Bhiwandi taluka police station. Based on her statement, an FIR has been filed against the accused, Pandit Mhatre, under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 115(1) (assault) and Section 127(2) (wrongful confinement). Additionally, charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 have been invoked.
However, in October 2024, the accused allegedly visited their home and coerced them into resuming work at his kiln despite the woman recovering from childbirth. The couple was reportedly forced to stay in a temple and were paid a meager ₹20 per day.
This incident highlights the ongoing struggle against bonded labor and caste-based discrimination, raising concerns about the exploitation of marginalized communities in industrial sectors.
The case was registered after a 30-year-old woman from the Katkari community lodged a complaint at the Bhiwandi taluka police station. Based on her statement, an FIR has been filed against the accused, Pandit Mhatre, under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 115(1) (assault) and Section 127(2) (wrongful confinement). Additionally, charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 have been invoked.
Forced into Bonded Labor Amid Pregnancy and Childbirth
According to the complaint, the couple worked at Mhatre's brick kiln in Kharbaon. In May 2024, while five months pregnant, the woman borrowed ₹12,000 from Mhatre before returning to her village, Satpati, as her husband took up work on a fishing boat.However, in October 2024, the accused allegedly visited their home and coerced them into resuming work at his kiln despite the woman recovering from childbirth. The couple was reportedly forced to stay in a temple and were paid a meager ₹20 per day.
Assault and Caste-Based Abuse
On February 23 and 24, 2025, when the woman was unwell and unable to work, Mhatre allegedly hurled caste-based abuses at her and assaulted her husband. Following this, she approached the authorities and filed a formal complaint.Investigation Underway
While no arrests have been made yet, police officials confirmed that an investigation is ongoing. Authorities are probing the allegations to take further legal action against the accused.This incident highlights the ongoing struggle against bonded labor and caste-based discrimination, raising concerns about the exploitation of marginalized communities in industrial sectors.
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