Bagalkot district officials rescued 34 bonded labourers, including six child labourers, from a brick kiln. The workers, all from Odisha, were trapped since November 2025. They worked more than 16 hours a day with barely any breaks. They were not allowed to leave the kiln as a family. They did not receive the wages promised, said Susheela, director of NGO Spandana. The employer fled and took their Aadhaar cards. Police have registered an FIR on a complaint. Workers were promised ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 but received only around ₹8,000. The kiln owner and his son abused the workers physically and verbally. The rescued labourers are now in a government hostel and will be sent home after formalities. Since December 2025, 99 people have been freed from bonded labour in Bagalkot from brick kilns and a sugarcane farm. This year marks 50 years since the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act was passed.