West Bengal Woman Rescued from Gurugram Flat After Two Years Abuse
A 39-year-old woman from Birbhum was rescued from a Gurugram apartment where she was forced to work 16-hour days for over two years.
Bhadu Mandi, 39, was confined in a Gurugram apartment for over two years and forced to work 16 hours daily as domestic help. A coordinated rescue by West Bengal Police and civil society groups freed her on Friday.
Gurugram, West Bengal, Birbhum, bonded labour, domestic worker, rescue operation, Nari O Sishu Kalyan Kendra, Illambazar Police Station
A 39-year-old woman from West Bengal’s Birbhum district has been rescued from an apartment in Gurugram where she was allegedly confined and forced to work as a domestic helper for more than two years under abusive conditions.
The rescue took place on Friday through a coordinated effort involving West Bengal Police, district authorities, civil society groups and local officials in Haryana.
According to police, Bhadu Mandi was taken to Gurugram after an advance payment of ₹40,000 was made to secure her employment as a domestic worker. Once there, she was allegedly made to work for over 16 hours daily, subjected to physical abuse and prevented from leaving the apartment. Authorities said the residence had a highly digitised security system, leaving her with little opportunity to contact her family.
The case came to light in March when Bhadu’s sister, Lakshmi Tudu, approached authorities in Birbhum seeking help. Family members said Bhadu managed to contact them only when a technician visited the apartment for repair work.
An NGO, Nari O Sishu Kalyan Kendra, subsequently coordinated with government agencies to pursue the case. An FIR was later registered at Illambazar Police Station under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
A West Bengal Police team travelled to Gurugram and carried out the rescue operation. Police said the owners of the apartment were found absconding during the rescue. Notices have been pasted at the residence directing them to appear before local authorities.
Bhadu is expected to return to West Bengal on Sunday, after which her statement will be recorded.
