‘We Were Treated Like Prisoners’: Muzaffarnagar Bonded Labour Survivors Allege Brutal Torture (Watch Videos)

Days after 12 bonded labourers were rescued from an alleged captivity racket inside a disposable bowls factory in Muzaffarnagar's Mandi village, survivors have described months of brutal confinement, claiming they were beaten with iron rods and spear-like weapons while pit bull dogs were used to stop them from escaping.

The workers, rescued during a police operation under Titawi police station limits, are undergoing medical treatment and psychological counselling. Police are also investigating the workers' allegation that a 13th labourer, Arjun, was allegedly killed in November 2025 and his body dumped. The case surfaced after a labourer from Rajasthan's Jodhpur district reportedly escaped by scaling the factory wall and alerted police.

Muzaffarnagar Bonded Labour Horror

Horror in Muzaffarnagar, UP: Police say 12 labourers were rescued from a factory where they were allegedly held captive for years, tortured, locked up after work, fed just once a day, and threatened with a Rottweiler to prevent escape.

Investigators claim factory owner Ankit… pic.twitter.com/mgi4kHah98

— The News Drill™ (@thenewsdrill) June 24, 2026

VIDEO | Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh: Titawi Police Station officials serve food to the bonded labourers, who were rescued from a paper plate manufacturing factory.

Twelve bonded labourers, including minors, bearing visible torture marks and injuries on their bodies were rescued… pic.twitter.com/J0dCJgzluE

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 25, 2026

In UP's Muzaffarnagar, at least 12 bonded labourers were freed from a paper plate manufacturing unit. Narrating their ordeal, labourers claimed they were tortured using fan belt whip and spear. Roti made of cattle feed and salt was served in the meal. Rottweiler was stationed as… pic.twitter.com/QQGUZwJRq3

— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) June 23, 2026

A Shocking Case from Muzaffarnagar

Beaten with Spears, Attacked by Dogs.(भाले से मारते,कत्तों से कटवाया)

No Food. No Phones. No Sunlight.

13 Bonded Labourers Rescued

Locked Inside a Factory for 2 Years

Survivors Allege Several Died Under Torture.

My Ground Ground Report pic.twitter.com/zyyibYdRKd

— Saurabh shukla (@Saurabh_Unmute) June 25, 2026

Officials said many of the rescued labourers had visible injury marks, while several appeared malnourished and traumatised. According to investigators, the workers were lured from railway stations and public places with promises of jobs, regular wages, food and accommodation. Once inside the factory, their mobile phones were confiscated, identity documents destroyed and all contact with their families was cut off. How Fan Belts, Heated Irons and Pitbulls Kept Factory Workers Captive in Muzaffarnagar (Watch Videos).

Ramu, a resident of Nainital in Uttarakhand, said he was brought to Muzaffarnagar around two-and-a-half months ago on the pretext of employment. “We were treated like prisoners. We were not allowed to step outside the gate. They fed us dry rotis made from bran. If anyone made a mistake or asked questions, they beat us with iron rods and often used a spear to injure us,” he said.

He added that the fear was constant because punishment could follow any small act of resistance. “We lived in fear every day. Nobody knew when the next beating would come,” Ramu said. How Police Dog Mary Cracked a Dead-End Child S*xual Assault Case in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal.

Shivam Kumar, a resident of Auraiya in Uttar Pradesh, showed investigators injury marks while describing months of confinement.

Jagdish, a resident of Sitapur, said the prolonged separation from his family was the most painful part of his captivity. “Whenever we talked about going home, they’d torture us. For 11 months, I could not speak to my family. At one point, I felt I would never see them again,” he said.

Narayan, a resident of Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, said he was brought to the factory from Old Delhi railway station. “After police rescued us, it felt as if I had got a second life,” he said.

Rani, the mother of rescued labourer Shivam, said the family had no contact with him after January. “My son had gone to Gurugram for work. He would usually work for a few months and return home, but after Jan, we completely lost contact with him. We cried, searched for him everywhere and waited for his calls. It was only when we received a call from Titavi police station two days ago that we were able to speak to him,” she said.

Dr Depankar Kumar, who examined the rescued labourers at the government hospital, said many of the injuries appeared to be old. “The psychological impact of the torture seems as deep,” he said, adding that two labourers showed signs of significant psychological trauma.

Police have registered a case and are continuing their investigation into the alleged bonded labour racket, including the workers' claim regarding the missing labourer. Further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the probe.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2026 09:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).