West Bengal Woman Rescued from Alleged Bonded Labour in Gurgaon After Nearly Two Years of Abuse and Confinement

A 39-year-old tribal woman from West Bengal’s Birbhum district has been rescued from an apartment in Gurgaon, where she allegedly endured nearly two years of captivity, forced labour and physical abuse while working as a domestic helper.

According to police officials, the woman claimed she was compelled to work for up to 16 hours a day, subjected to frequent beatings over minor issues and denied regular contact with her family.

Investigators also revealed that a smart-locking system installed in the apartment effectively prevented her from leaving the residence on her own.

Her ordeal reportedly came to light only after a service technician visited the apartment recently.

Seizing a rare opportunity, the woman managed to alert her family about her situation, setting in motion a rescue operation that eventually secured her freedom.

Authorities said the rescue was carried out on Saturday through a coordinated effort involving the West Bengal Police, Gurgaon Police, district administration officials and civil society organisations.

Following her rescue, the survivor alleged that prolonged physical abuse had left her with severe health complications.

She told officials that repeated assaults had affected her ability to raise her right arm and impaired hearing in her right ear.

She further claimed that on the morning of the rescue, she was brutally beaten on her head and face, leaving her fearful for her life.

According to investigators, the woman was initially brought to Delhi, and later Gurgaon, to work as a domestic helper after an advance payment of ₹40,000 was allegedly made by the employing family.

Authorities are still examining the circumstances under which she was recruited and transported.

Police said the employers frequently locked her inside the apartment whenever they left the house.

The survivor’s sister, who approached authorities in Birbhum seeking help in March this year, alleged that the woman faced physical violence on an almost daily basis.

According to her family, the abuse often followed minor disagreements or requests by the survivor to return home.

The breakthrough in the case came when a technician visited the residence for service-related work.

Police said the woman persuaded him to allow her to use his mobile phone, enabling her to contact her relatives and inform them about her condition.

Alarmed by her account, the family immediately sought assistance from law enforcement agencies.

On June 4, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at a police station in West Bengal.

The case was filed under various provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 127(4), which deals with wrongful exploitation and forced labour.

To facilitate the rescue operation, the survivor’s sister travelled to Gurgaon, while a team from the West Bengal Police also arrived in the National Capital Region to coordinate with Gurgaon Police and local authorities.

Speaking about the operation, Assistant Sub-Inspector Rajesh Khowal of the Sector 93 police post said the employers were not present at the apartment when officials arrived to carry out the rescue.

Another officer associated with the investigation said the inquiry remains in its preliminary stages.

According to the officer, the rescued woman herself opened the door during the operation, and further investigation is currently being led by the West Bengal Police.

The officer added that notices have been pasted outside the residence of the accused family, directing them to join the investigation.

Copies of the notices were also handed over to the housing society’s security personnel.

Preliminary findings suggest that the woman was subjected to severe mistreatment. Investigators alleged that whenever she attempted to call for help from the balcony, her employer would threaten her with violence and even death.

Officials described the survivor as deeply traumatised and said efforts are being made to provide her with the necessary support and assistance as the investigation continues.