The Himachal Pradesh High Court has recently discharged a suo motu PIL registered in cognizance of a letter written by a boy wherein it was alleged that he along with others has been detained and made to work as labourer.
Notice of the petition was issued on January 27, 2022 with the direction to the respondents to file a status report regarding the factual position.
On January 28 , the status report was filed in the open Court, which goes to reveal that it was only on account of certain monetary disputes that the complaint in fact came to be lodged. As regards the allegation that the complainant along with other persons have been made to work as bonded labourers, there is virtually no proof regarding the same.
The Division Bench of Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Satyen Vaidya observed that the complaint relates to certain monetary disputes and now stands settled and as a matter of fact, the main complainant has already left for his native place with his family.
As regards the other complainant, who too intends to move back to his native place and there is no hindrance created at least by the official respondents qua his return, the Court further observed.
Lastly, the Court noted that the third complainant wants to stay back, as he otherwise has no grievance against the official respondents or owner of the brick kiln, as is evident from his statement made by him to the police.
“In this view of the matter, we deem it appropriate to give quietus to the petition. Ordered accordingly,” said the Court.
It is clarified by the Court that in case the complainant or any other person, who is similarly situated, has any complaint regarding the subject matter, then he/she is at liberty to approach the High Court by filing a fresh petition or reviving the instant petition.