The Mandya district child protection committee officials on Wednesday rescued a 10-year-old boy who worked as a bonded labour at a house in Kabbare village in the taluk.

When the team comprising Dr Diwakar of the committee and the police raided the house belonging to Ramesh and Sakamma at 6.30 am, the boy was found cleaning the cowshed.

On inquiry, Ramesh said he found the boy abandoned at the bus stand in the town five years ago and brought him home. He made the boy do household chores, without sending him to school, said the team.

On a tip-off, the committee members visited the house twice previously and inquired about the boy. Diwakar said the boy’s photo will be published in the media to gather details about his parents.

Till his parents are identified, the boy will be in the custody of the committee and a compensation of Rs 1,000 will be given, he added. A case has been registered against Ramesh and Sakamma.