A division bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice P Velmurugan took strong exception to the Centre’s statement, noting that there were numerous reports including visuals about migrants dying on railway tracks and in road accidents.

Also noting that there were several reports death due to starvation and walking long distances, which prompted the court to call the crisis a human tragedy, Justice Kirubakaran said it was unfortunate that migrant workers were being treated with such apathy. He added that the respective states must ensure that these workers were provided employment in their native and not force them to migrate to eke out their livelihood.

The bench made this observation on a habeas corpus plea relating to workers being allegedly held captive in Mumbai, which the bench had retained for the sake of the larger interest of migrant workers.