Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Indian Police probe Som Distilleries over suspected child labour

Police had opened a case under juvenile justice and bonded labour laws.

Indian Police probe Som Distilleries over suspected child labour

INDIAN police said on Monday (17) they had launched an investigation into Som Distilleries after the government's child rights agency announced it had found children working at a distillery.

The National Commission for Protection Of Child Rights (NCPCR) said last Saturday (15) it had found more than 50 children at a plant in Raisen district in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.


"More than 50 children were found working in the manufacture of liquor, including 20 girls," NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo wrote on X.

"Due to being in contact with chemicals, the skin of many children's hands has also been burnt. Action is being taken to rescue the children and register" a police complaint, he added.

Police officer Vikas Kumar Shahwal in Raisen said police had opened a case under juvenile justice and bonded labour laws.

In a statement to Indian stock exchanges, Som Distilleries and Breweries Ltd said the concerns were related to a plant run by its "associate private limited company".

It said that company used labour supplied by contractors who may not have carried out proper age verification for workers.

"That company has extended full cooperation to the authorities regarding the issue and (has) terminated the services of the vendor," Som said in the statement, without clarifying the services provided by the vendor.

"We want to assure you that all the plants of our company are fully compliant with all applicable laws."

The Som group makes beer brands such as Hunter and Woodpecker in India. It runs its largest brewery as well as a distillery unit in Raisen district, its website says.

The NCPCR, a federal government agency, said it had inspected the distillery in Raisen after a complaint from child rights activists.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav said the case was "very serious" and "strictest action will be taken against the culprits".

District labour officer G S Mehdele said the ages of 59 workers were being verified to determine if they were under age.

(Reuters)

More For You

single-use vapes-iStock

Analysis by Material Focus estimates that 8.2 million vapes are discarded or littered each week in the UK—equivalent to 13 every second. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Shops told to clear single-use vapes before ban starts on June 1

SHOPS across the UK have until 1 June 2025 to sell off remaining stocks of single-use vapes before a nationwide ban comes into force.

The legislation, confirmed last year, follows a government consultation that showed strong support for restricting their sale and supply.

Keep ReadingShow less
Primark-London-Getty

During his 15-year tenure, Marchant expanded Primark’s store network to more than 450 locations across 17 countries in Europe and the United States. (Photo: Reuters)

Primark chief Paul Marchant steps down after misconduct probe

PAUL MARCHANT, the head of fashion retailer Primark, has resigned with immediate effect after admitting to an "error of judgment" in his behaviour towards a woman in a social setting.

Associated British Foods (AB Foods), Primark's parent company, announced his resignation on Monday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jaguar’s bold gamble: Can it woo young, wealthy drivers with a £123k EV?

Jaguar’s bold gamble: Can it woo young, wealthy drivers with a £123k EV?

JAGUAR’S ambition to seduce younger, richer drivers was on full display in Paris with a presentation of its newest prototype, the Type 00, which promises all-electric luxury... at a steep price.

The low-slung, muscular-looking concept car presented to European reporters last Friday (21) prefigures a production model expected mid-2026 at a base cost of €150,000 (£123,472.8).

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Trump-Getty

Trump has suggested the possibility of a 'great' trade deal that could help the UK mitigate the impact of tariffs he has pledged to introduce. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer, Trump talk trade deal progress in 'productive' discussion

KEIR STARMER and Donald Trump spoke on Sunday about ongoing UK-US trade negotiations, with Downing Street describing the talks as "productive."

Since leaving the European Union, the UK has been working to secure a trade agreement with the United States. Successive British governments have pursued a deal, but it has remained elusive.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty
Trump shakes hands with Modi during a joint press conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)

India-US trade talks end with no sign of tariff relief

INDIA and the United States have agreed to move forward on finalising a part of their bilateral trade deal this year, but there was no indication of any tariff relief for India.

Trade discussions took place in New Delhi ahead of the implementation of US president Donald Trump's new trade tariff regime, which includes import levies on India, set to take effect from 2 April.

Keep ReadingShow less