Three bonded labourers rescued at Kalasthambadi  in Tiruvannamalai district

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The Revenue Divisional Officer in Tiruvannamalai gave the rescued workers release certificates to help them receive financial aid and access government schemes meant for bonded labourers. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Three persons, who had reportedly worked as bonded labourers, were rescued at Kalasthambadi village near Chengam in Tiruvannamalai on Sunday (September 13, 2026).

Revenue Department officials said the rescued persons were K. Viji, 25, his wife V. Sasikala, 23, and his brother K. Surya, 19. The couple have a one-year-old daughter. They are residents of Kalasthambadi. “On information, Collector Vandana Garg directed Revenue Department officials and the police to rescue the workers. A team of officials conducted an inspection and found them working under inhuman conditions for the past few years,” said an official.

Initial inquiries revealed that the rescued workers were roped in by B. Jayamani, 52, a landlord, to work on five acres of farmland a few years ago. They were paid ₹8,000-₹10,000 in advance.

Officials said the rescued persons were forced to stay in small huts without proper access to drinking water and toilets and made to work for more than 15 hours a day. They told officials that the in-charge and his men would beat them up if they stood in the shade or even drank water, officials said.

They were given release certificates to help them receive financial aid and access government schemes, officials said.

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