"Target not achieved." So what followed? Tying a dog collar around the neck and making them crawl on their knees, force-feeding salt, making them lick water off the floor, shaving heads forcibly, and even urinating on those who asked for their salary.
What the young men and women who joined the facility in Perumbavoor encountered was not employment—it was pure trauma. The footage that has emerged reveals shocking, punitive actions that violate both Indian social values and labour laws, stripping away the workers’ humanity.
Legal Perspective: Analysis Based on New Penal Laws
Under the new legal regime that came into effect in 2023—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita—these incidents demand serious legal scrutiny.
1. Outraging the Modesty of Women – BNS Sections 73, 74
Section 73: Remarks or acts that insult the dignity of a woman.
Section 74: Intentional insult or humiliation of a woman – punishable by up to 3 years of imprisonment and a fine.
2. Physical Abuse – BNS Sections 115(2), 117
Section 115(2): Willfully provoking actions that cause harm or weakness in others.
Section 117: Assault likely to cause grievous injury – punishable by up to 7 years of imprisonment.
3. Unlawful Detention – BNS Section 124
Any act of unlawfully confining a person – punishable by up to 1 year of imprisonment.
4. Mental Harassment / Related Responsibilities:
Factories Act, 1948 & Shops & Establishments Act (Kerala): Failure to ensure mental and physical safety at the workplace is a legal violation.
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013:
If there is no Internal Complaints Committee, the organization can face strict action.
Summoning women to private “personal meetings” and humiliating them falls under the "hostile work environment" clause of Section 3.
5. Fraudulent Job Offers – BNS Section 316
Deceiving individuals with false promises of fair wages – punishable by up to 3 years of imprisonment.
6. Forced Labour – Article 23 of the Indian Constitution
Legally, no one can be forced to work. If the worker is trapped and unable to leave due to constraints, it amounts to bonded labour.
Required Legal Action
Labour Department & District Labour Office: Must register the case and submit a detailed report.
Police: Must file an FIR under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and submit a charge sheet.
Women’s and Youth Commissions: Should initiate suo motu investigations.
Human Rights Commission: Can be approached with a complaint.
Law Must Be Strong, But Humanity Must Be Stronger
While the law exists, the Perumbavoor incident reflects a level of cruelty beyond legality—a betrayal of the hope people place in employment. If instead of opportunity, workers are being hunted and broken, then we have all failed. Every institution and every manager must possess legal awareness—but more importantly, every worker must be strong enough to recognize and resist abuse.
For Legal Assistance:
Legal Aid Helpline: 15100
Women Helpline: 1091
District Labour Office Portal: [Ernakulam].labour.gov.in
