In force
The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
27 sections · As amended up to 2026-08
Sections
- I — PRELIMINARY
- 1Short title, extent and commencement
- 2Definitions
- 3Act to have overriding effect
- II — ABOLITION OF BONDED LABOUR SYSTEM
- 4Abolition of bonded labour system
- 5Agreement, custom, etc., to be void
- III — EXTINGUISHMENT OF LIABILITY TO REPAY BONDED DEBT
- 6Liability to repay bonded debt to stand extinguished
- 7Property of bonded labourer to be freed from mortgage, etc
- 8Freed bonded labourer not to be evicted from homestead, etc
- 9Creditor not to accept payment against extinguished debt
- IV — IMPLEMENTING AUTHORITIES
- 10Authorities who may be specified for implementing the provisions of this Act
- 11Duty of District Magistrate and other officers to ensure credit
- 12Duty of District Magistrate and officers authorised by him
- V — VIGILANCE COMMITTEES
- 13Vigilance Committees
- 14Functions of Vigilance Committees
- 15Burden of proof
- VI — OFFENCES AND PROCEDURE FOR TRIAL
- 16Punishment for enforcement of bonded labour
- 17Punishment for advancement of bonded debt
- 18Punishment for extracting bonded labour under the bonded labour system
- 19Punishment for omission or failure to restore possession of property to bonded labourers
- 20Abetment to be an offence
- 21Offences to be tried by Executive Magistrates
- 22Cognizance of offences
- 23Offences by companies
- VII — MISCELLANEOUS
- 24Protection of action taken in good faith
- 25Jurisdiction of civil courts barred
- 26Power to make rules
- 27Repeal and saving