Whether it is bonded labour or human trafficking for bonded labour, it’s one of those serious crimes which involves violation of human rights of an individual. As for as US is concerned, there are strict laws on trafficking in persons to combat the crime. A 47-year old Pradeep Kumar, the owner of ‘Tandoori Grills’ in Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles was arrested by LA County Sheriff.
He was accused for human trafficking and holding an Indian national in involuntary servitude for three years. The victim came to US three years ago in search of work. Pradeep Kumar took him to work for ‘Tandoori Grills’ as a chef, confiscated his passport, made him work for 12-14 hours a day all the seven days of a week.
In addition, the chef was brutally beaten up using heavy metallic bars, forbidden even to talk with anyone and was denied contact with anyone. One of the co-employees of the victim passed this information to Victim’s brother in Mumbai, who shared this information with county sheriff’s department via email.
In due course, the Restaurant owner Pradeep Kumar was arrested on Tuesday, held on £1,00,000 bail and is going to appear in court on Thursday. Meanwhile, the victim was given medical treatment and is planning to return to India soon.
