Punjab & Haryana High Court: Withholding Salary for Years Amounts to “Forced Labour”

The Punjab and Haryana High Court held that withholding an employee’s salary for years amounts to “forced labour” and violates fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 23 of the Constitution.

The Court directed the Haryana State Federation of Consumer Co-operative Wholesale Stores Ltd. (CONFED) to release seven years of unpaid salary arrears with 6% interest to a former employee who had been litigating since the 1990s.

Justice Harpreet Singh Brar strongly criticised the State body for exploiting the employee and imposed ₹2 lakh exemplary costs, observing that no employer, especially the State, can deny lawful wages for work performed.

[Duni Chand v. State of Haryana & Ors.]