The Allahabad High Court recently granted bail to Himanshu Thakur, a member of the workers' union 'Mazdoor Bigul Dasta', in connection with two FIRs arising from the April 2026 industrial workers' protest in Noida.

Both FIRs, Case Crime Nos. 164 and 165 of 2026, concerned alleged mob violence at public places and companies in Gautam Buddha Nagar/Noida, where a large number of workers had allegedly gathered, engaged in stone-pelting and damaged public and company property.

The FIRs were registered under several provisions of the BNS and Sections 3/4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. The FIR no. 165 implicated a mob of around 450-500 persons; however, no specific role had been assigned to Applicant-Thakur.

Bail orders

In FIR no. 164, Justice Krishan Pahal granted bail to Thakur on August 7.

Justice Pahal took note of the fact that a similarly placed co-accused, Ravi Kumar Rathore, had already been granted bail by a coordinate Bench of the High Court on June 24, 2026. It also noted that the criminal history attributed to Thakur stood explained.

Thakur was directed to be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond and two sureties, subject to verification of the sureties. He was also directed not to tamper with evidence or intimidate witnesses and to appear before the trial court as required.

On the other hand, in Case Crime No. 165, Justice Avnish Saxena granted bail to Thakur on August 20.

Though the State opposed bail, alleging that he was instrumental in spreading violence through social media and had used the internet to spread hatred, the bench granted him bail, noting that no specific role was attributed to him.

Thakur was directed to be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond and two sureties. He was also directed to cooperate with the judicial process for fair and speedy disposal of the case.

Background of the Workers' Protest

As stated, both FIRs concern an industrial dispute concerning workers' demands including revision of minimum wages, payment of overtime wages and implementation of an eight-hour workday. The agitation allegedly began on April 9, 2026 and subsequently spread to several industrial establishments in Phase-II, Gautam Buddha Nagar.

According to the FIRs, on April 13, around 1,500-2,000 workers allegedly assembled at the premises of Samvardhan Motherson International Limited in Sector 84, Gautam Buddha Nagar.

It is the prosecution's case that the gathering turned violent and damage were done to company property, the employees, security personnel and police personnel were assaulted. It also alleged that stone-pelting was done as well as damaging and burning of vehicles.

In FIR no. 164, Thakur's counsel challenged the prosecution's reliance on recoveries from his residence, which allegedly included electronic devices, books, notebooks, labour-union literature, newspapers, pamphlets, banners and other material.

It was argued that no weapon, explosive, inflammable substance or incriminating digital communication had been recovered.

It was also contended that neither the FIR nor the statements recorded during investigation disclosed that Thakur was seen breaking the gate, pelting stones, assaulting any employee or police official, setting vehicles on fire, damaging company property or committing any other specific act.

The prosecution had sought to raise suspicion from Thakur's association and freelance work with organisations including Mazdoor Bigul, Disha Students' Organisation and Naujavan Bharat Sabha and from his participation in discussions through forums such as Bigul Mazdoor Dasta.

But his Counsel argued that such association or contribution to lawful organisations could not, by itself, constitute evidence of involvement in the alleged offences.

Advocate Qamar Ali Jafri appeared for the applicant.

Case title - Himanshu Thakur vs. State of U.P. 2026 LiveLaw (AB) 629

Case Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (AB) 629

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