Rescue does not end the State’s duty: the Supreme Court set bonded-labour rehabilitation timelines, directing timely assistance and continuing rehabilitation, retaining the petitions for monitoring.
New Delhi: Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh issued nationwide directions [Surendra Manjhi & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors.].
Certificates and assistance
Paragraphs 26–27 require release certificates ordinarily within 24 hours of determination of bonded labour, assistance ordinarily within seven days of certification subject to verification, and individual rehabilitation plans and initiation of measures within 90 days of rescue.
Eligible immediate assistance cannot be withheld merely because criminal proceedings remain pending. Interstate disputes must not delay payment.
Implementation remains under scrutiny
States and Union Territories have six months to implement the revised SOP and directions, without affecting existing entitlements. The Centre must decide proposed scheme revisions within three months.
Both petitions remain pending; compliance reports will be considered after seven months.
Case: Surendra Manjhi & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors.
Numbers: W.P.(C) 511/2022; Diary 32325/2026
Citation: 2026 INSC 1185
Court: Supreme Court of India
Bench: Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh
Date: November 2, 2026
Status: Directions issued; petitions pending.