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The Allahabad High Court today deferred the bail plea of Journalist Satyam Verma in one of the 11 criminal cases registered against him in connection with the April 2026 Noida workers' protest, after the State sought an opportunity to file its objections to his bail plea on the ground of parity.

The Court had earlier indicated in open court that Verma would be granted bail on parity with a co-accused who had been granted bail in the same case on June 23. However, after the State counsel later sought an opportunity to oppose bail on the grounds of parity

The matter has now been posted for consideration of the State's objections on September 23.

Verma, however, is not expected to walk out of jail even if he secures bail in the present case, as he remains in custody in connection with other criminal cases. He has also been separately detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).

A bench of Justice Krishan Pahal was hearing Verma's bail plea in Case Crime No. 164 of 2026, registered at Police Station Phase-2, Gautam Buddh Nagar. The FIR has invoked several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 7 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act and Sections 3/4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

It may be noted that on June 23, the High Court had granted bail to co-accused Shiv Kumar @ Shiva in the same case.

In that order, the Court noted that Shiv Kumar was not named in the FIR and that the FIR had been lodged against a mob. He had been in jail since April 14, 2026.

The Court, after considering the rival submissions, the FIR and other relevant documents, had observed:

"I am of the considered view that applicant has made a case for bail. The bail application is allowed".

The Court had specifically considered the nature of the offence, evidence, complicity of the accused and severity of punishment, while making it clear that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the case.

Background About Verma

Verma, who is also the editor of Mazdoor Bigul Dasta, was arrested in Lucknow on April 17 in connection with cases arising from the workers' protest.

He was subsequently booked separately under the National Security Act on May 13 along with Student Activist Akriti Chaudhary.

However, Chaudhary's NSA detention was recently quashed by the Allahabad High Court, which also made strong remarks against Noida District Magistrate Medha Roopam and criticized the manner in which the detention order was passed.

The Uttar Pradesh Police has alleged that Verma played an important role in the violence, arson and spread of disorder during the workers' protest and attempted to disrupt public order by allegedly provoking people in various areas.

The workers were protesting for a wage hike and improved working conditions.

According to media reports, incidents including vehicle burning, trespassing and stone pelting were reported at some places on April 13, following which police lathi-charged workers and detained hundreds of workers and seven activists.

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