Police Rescue Two Bonded Labourers From Businessman's House In Tirupati
Gajapati Police, in a joint operation with Tirupati authorities, rescued two Odisha men held as bonded labourers. The victims, allegedly confined and exploited by their employer, have been brought to safety, with legal proceedings initiated against the accused.
Highlights
- •Two men from Gajapati, Odisha, were rescued from illegal confinement in Tirupati.
- •The victims had been working as bonded labourers for a businessman for five years.
- •Police intervention was triggered by reports of wage theft and poor living conditions.
- •Authorities are coordinating with the Labour Department for further legal action against the employer.
In a significant rescue operation aimed at combating illegal labor practices, the Gajapati Police successfully liberated two men who were being held as bonded labourers in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The rescue, which took place on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, marks a critical intervention against the exploitation of workers who were subjected to confinement far from their home district.
The individuals saved were identified as Santiel Karado (54) and Gamliel Karado (29), both of whom are residents of the R Udayagiri block in the Gajapati district of Odisha. According to initial reports, the victims had been employed by a local businessman in Tirupati for approximately five years before their situation deteriorated into illegal confinement.
Details of the Rescue and Ongoing Investigation
Family members of the victims provided crucial information to the authorities regarding the dire conditions faced by their kin. They alleged that the two men had been illegally imprisoned by their employer for the past eight days. During this period of forced confinement, the workers were reportedly denied basic necessities, including adequate food, and were completely cut off from communication with their families. Furthermore, the employer allegedly withheld their rightful wages and used threats to coerce them into continuing their labor without any compensation.
Upon receiving the distress complaint, Rakesh K. Sahoo, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of R Udayagiri, took immediate action. He coordinated directly with the Tirupati Police, sharing vital intelligence regarding the victims and their location. This inter-state collaboration proved essential in the timely and safe rescue of the two laborers.
Following the operation, local authorities have emphasized that the legal process is underway. The Tirupati Police have been formally requested to pursue rigorous legal proceedings against those responsible for the exploitation and illegal confinement of the victims. Additionally, the Gajapati Police are maintaining close communication with the relevant Labour Department officials to ensure that the victims receive necessary support and justice.
The SDPO stated that this successful operation is part of a broader commitment by the police force to identify and assist other individuals from the Gajapati region who may be trapped in similar bonded labour situations elsewhere in the country. This case highlights the ongoing challenges of human exploitation and the vital role of cross-departmental and inter-state police cooperation in safeguarding the rights of vulnerable workers.
