MUKESH ADVANI vs STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

The Supreme Court addressed the exploitation of bonded laborers in Tamil Nadu working in stone quarries in Madhya Pradesh, emphasizing the need for state protection under Articles 38, 41, 42, and 43 of the Constitution of India. The Court found that the laborers were subjected to manipulative accounting practices, poor working conditions, and inadequate wages, violating the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. The Court directed the Union of India to issue a preliminary notification under Section 5 of the Minimum Wages Act to establish minimum wages for affected laborers, thereby ensuring their rights and welfare are protected.