Distillery license revoked due to allegations of child labor

Amid an ongoing investigation into allegations of employing child labour and subsequently rescuing 59 of these children, the Madhya Pradesh government on Thursday suspended the licence of liquor manufacturer Som Distilleries.

A few days ago, Chairman of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Priyank Kanungo, led an inspection team to the factory near Bhopal in Raisen district following a complaint from the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA).

According to Kanungo, the NCPCR team rescued 39 boys and 20 girls, all minors, from the factory. The NCPCR chairman said the hands of the rescued children were burnt and some had the skin torn off their palms, probably due to regular contact with alcohol and chemicals.

Subsequently, a police complaint was filed against the factory owners, who belong to the Arora family from Bhopal.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said in a post on X that “M/s Som Distilleries Private Limited in Raisen district has been booked for the heinous crime of child labour and due to this, its license has been cancelled. Neglectful officials in connection with this case have already been suspended earlier.”

Shortly after the NCPCR raid, the Prime Minister ordered the suspension of several officials and inspectors of the State Customs Authority.

State government officials said the Som Distillery had been seized and its license to produce spirits had been revoked.