Maharashtra Tribal Development Minister Vijaykumar Gavit on Friday admitted in the Legislative Council that a tribal girl who died in September 2022 worked as a bonded labourer, drawing criticism from Opposition members.

The practice of bonded labour is banned in the state. As he replied to a question related to 'Ashram Shalas' run for tribal children, Gavit was also asked to respond on the death of a 10-year-old tribal girl from Nashik district about six months ago.