A 39-year-old Adivasi woman from West Bengal was rescued on Saturday from bonded labour conditions from a home in Gurugram after a joint operation was conducted by Haryana and West Bengal police personnel, district administration and civil society members. 

‘Restricted movement’

Bhadu Mandi, a resident of Birbhum district, was brought to Delhi for domestic work after an advance payment of ₹40,000. According to her sister, Lakshmi Tudu, Ms. Mandi had been living and working under conditions amounting to bonded labour for more than two years at the home where she was employed in DLF Garden City, Sector 91. “The home had smart locking systems that restricted her movement,” Ms. Tudu said. 

‘Overworked, abused’

  Not allowed to step outside or make phone calls to her family, Ms. Mandi worked for more than 16 hours a day and was subjected to violent physical abuse over minor issues or when she requested to go back home, her sister said. The case first came to light in March 2026 when Ms. Tudu approached authorities in Birbhum for assistance.  

The FIR was finally registered on June 4 at the Illambazar police station. Ms. Tudu said her sister was able to contact her when a service technician visited the apartment for repair work.     An NGO, Nari O Sishu Kalyan Kendra (NOSKK), got to know about the case and documented the details, maintaining regular coordination with government officials in West Bengal and Gurugram. Meetings were held with the District Legal Services Authority and the Labour Department. After conducting an inquiry, the Labour Department identified the matter as a bonded labour case and recommended immediate intervention to the District Magistrate of Gurugram.    Ms. Tudu then travelled to Gurugram to ensure the release of her sister.

The West Bengal police also travelled to Delhi on Saturday.    Ms. Mandi said she could not lift her right hand and could not hear from her right ear as her employer had been hitting her consistently.