According to SSP KB Singh, a complaint was lodged by Tohid Ahmed, a family member of one of the bonded labourers, against Asif and Mehbood, the two contractors accused of cheating the workers by sending them to Sri Lanka with fake promises of better pay, accommodation and food.
A case was registered at kotwali police station here against the accused duo under section 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 406 (Punishment for criminal breach of trust), 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, on April 22.
The seven workers were freed yesterday with the efforts of the External Affairs Ministry, said Akhil Rana, a social worker and president of Rashtriya Sangharsh Morcha who pursued the case before the Indian government.
The accused contractors are absconding, police said, adding efforts are on to nab them.