Annual Report 2008-2009 4.105 On 17 December 2007 the Commission received a complaint alleging that 27 labourers were being forced to work as bonded labourers at the brick kilns in village Dhar of Gautam Budh Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh. 4.106 Taking cognizance of the matter, the Commission directed its Director General (Investigation) to immediately depute a team for an on-the-spot enquiry and take necessary action for release of bonded labourers, if any. The District Magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar was also asked to provide assistance in the matter. 4.107 A team of officers from the Investigation Division of NHRC who probed the matter submitted a detailed report, which revealed that 15 out of the 27 labourers worked as bonded labourers in the brick kilns. These labourers were neither paid any wages nor were complete records of their wages being maintained. All the 15 labourers who were kept in bondage were released and sent to their homes safely after the release certificates were handed over to them. Out of the 15 bonded labourers, 4 belonged to Aligarh District and 11 were from the District of Bulandshehar. The concerned District Magistrates were simultaneously informed and asked to take necessary action about their rehabilitation. It was also reported that a case bearing No. 1/ 2008 u/s 16/17/18 of Uttar Pradesh Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act was registered against the accused owners of the brick kilns and others associated with it. Each of the accused was convicted and sentenced by the Court of Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Sadar, Gautam Budh Nagar whereby a fine of Rs. 2,000 was imposed on them and they were also imprisoned. 4.108 Keeping in view the fact that the accused persons were prosecuted and punished and the concerned District Magistrates were informed to take suitable steps for rehabilitation of released bonded labourers, the Commission directed that the District Magistrates should also submit to it their action taken reports. 4.109 The case is under the consideration of the Commission as the action taken reports of the District Magistrates are awaited. 24. Bonded Labourers Engaged in Mines Owned by Sanjay Sahu in Raisen District, Madhya Pradesh (Case No. 1314/12/33/2007-2008) 4.110 An NGO, named Bachpan Bachao Andolan brought to the notice of the NHRC that a few labourers were kept in bondage in the Stone Mines owned by one Sanjay Sahu in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh. 4.111 After examining the matter, the Commission issued a notice to the District Collector, Raisen, Madhya Pradesh calling for a report. The report received from the Collector revealed that some labourers belonging to village Bhaindua had complained against one Sanjay Sahu, Contractor of the stone mines for keeping them as bonded labourers for almost 15 years. The complaint further stated that the labourers were beaten up and subjected to abusive language by the accused Contractor. On enquiry, FIR No. 79/2007 u/s 294/323/506/34 IPC and u/s 3(1) (10) 45