Noida Protest | Allahabad HC Seeks State's Response On Habeas Corpus Plea Of Journalist Arrested For 'Inciting' Workers

The Allahabad High Court today sought a response from the Uttar Pradesh Government in a Habeas Corpus petition filed by Journalist Satyam Verma, who was arrested last month on the allegations of instigating workers to carry out violence during the Noida labourers' protest.

A Bench of Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Devendra Singh-I, after hearing Senior Advocate SFA. Naqvi, along with Advocates Shashwat Anand and Ankur Azad, appearing for Verma, on the illegality of his arrest and continued custody, issued notice to the State authorities and granted time to file a Counter Affidavit placing their stand on record.

The Court further directed that the petitioner would be at liberty to file a Rejoinder Affidavit thereafter. The matter has now been listed for further hearing on 13 July 2026.

It may be noted that the habeas corpus petition, filed on Verma's behalf by his wife, challenges his arrest, detention and subsequent remand and custody in connection with the Noida workers' protest cases.

The plea further alleges serious procedural irregularities in the arrest and custodial transfer processes and seeks his release from custody, along with the preservation of electronic and documentary evidence relating to the detention.

Verma, who was arrested from Lucknow on April 17, was separately booked on May 13 under the stringent National Security Act.

On his plea challenging the NGA Detention, the Supreme Court on May 19 issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government.

It is the case of the UP Police that Verma had an important role to play in the violence, arson and spread of disorder during the workers' protest as he attempted to disrupt public order by provoking people in various areas.

The workers were protesting to demand a wage hike and improved working conditions. As per a report of The Hindu, on April 13, incidents of vehicle burning, trespassing and stone pelting were reported in a few places, following which police lathi-charged on workers and detained hundreds of workers and seven activists involved in the protest.

Earlier, on May 20, a division bench of Justice Siddharth and Justice Vinai Kumar Kumar Dwivedi recused from hearing the present Habeas Corpus plea.