Article 23: Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour

Leading cases

• Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India (1983)A letter alleging bonded labour in Faridabad stone quarries was maintainable under Article 32; the Court rejected objections to its commissioners' reports, presumed forced labourers to be bonded, and issued directions to the Union and Haryana.
• People's Union for Democratic Rights v. Union of India (1982)In a public interest petition on Asiad construction workers, the Court upheld the petitioners' standing, held the State bound as principal employer to enforce labour laws, and held that work below minimum wage is forced labour under Article 23.

Questions on this article

11 questions in 16 of our papers cite Article 23. Try these from the free papers:

1. 1. The Right Against Exploitation is guaranteed under which Articles?

   A.Articles 14-18B.Articles 19-22C.Articles 23-24D.Articles 29-30
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2. 2. Consider the following statements about Article 23: 1. Article 23 bars the State from imposing compulsory service for public purposes. 2. Article 23 prohibits traffic in human beings and begar and other similar forms of forced labour. 3. Any contravention of the prohibition in Article 23(1) is an offence punishable in accordance with law. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   A.2 and 3 onlyB.1 and 3 onlyC.2 onlyD.1, 2 and 3
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