India, July 2 -- MEERUT In a major breakthrough, Ankit Balyan, the prime accused and factory owner at the centre of a bonded labour case in Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended in Haryana on Thursday. Balyan, who had been evading five dedicated teams of the UP Police since June 23, was arrested in Palwal district by Haryana Police under the Arms Act, said officials.

Authorities said Balyan was nabbed within the jurisdiction of the Hodal police station while allegedly in possession of an illegal country-made firearm. Muzaffarnagar SSP Sanjai Kumar Verma confirmed the development, noting that UP authorities are in direct coordination with the Palwal SP.

The arrest brings renewed focus to the shocking human rights violations alleged to have occu...