Family members and relatives of laborers who were detained by police following their protest against alleged exploitation of laborers in Noida and NCR raise slogans during a protest against their arrest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Photo credit: PTI
The Uttar Pradesh police on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) invoked the National Security Act, 1980, against two activists arrested in connection with the Noida workers’ protest. Satyam Verma and Aakriti Choudhary are among the seven activists arrested by the UP Police in various police-led cases. Commissioner of Police, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Laxmi Singh, told The Hindu on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) that the police have “strong electronic and video evidence” against the two as well as 65 others who have been arrested so far in connection with the cases.
“In connection with the case, NSA action has been taken against Satyam Verma and Aakriti. Both are active members of Mazdoor Bigul Dasta. It was found that their role was significant in violence, arson and spreading disorder during the workers’ protest. They tried to disturb public order by provoking people in various areas,” said an official statement by Police Commissioner Gautam Buddh Nagar.
The NSA allows an individual to be detained for up to a year without trial.
The workers’ protest, which has been ongoing in various parts of the country since the beginning of this year, spread to Noida in early April when thousands of workers took to the streets to present their demands for higher wages and better working conditions. On 13 April, incidents of vehicle burning, ground encroachment and stone pelting were reported at several places, after which the police attacked the workers and arrested hundreds of workers and seven activists involved in the protest.
Satyam Verma is a leading journalist and public intellectual associated with Janchetna Books and Jagaruk Nagrik Manch. He was arrested by the UP Police from Lucknow on April 17. According to his associates, Mr. Verma was not in Noida in April and last visited the city 12 years ago.
Aakriti Choudhary is a student activist and theater artist. She is a member of Disha Students’ Organization, which has been active in the field of education and employment. After graduating from the Department of History at the University of Delhi, he is preparing for his Ph.D. She was one of four people arrested by police from the Botanic Garden metro station on April 11, two days before the violence took place.
According to Mazdur Bigul members, the two accused were forced to sign a document on Monday evening stating that NSA was filed against them.
However, lawyers representing Satyam and Aakriti said the police had not produced any documents in court to support the NSA’s appeal. “Further action is sought in the Supreme Court,” Choudhary’s lawyer Ali Zia Kabir said.
“None of those arrested are workers. They are outsiders, not residents of Noida, who tried to incite violence during the protest,” the commissioner said. “Initially, 353 people were arrested from places where vandalism and arson were reported. Many of those who were remanded in custody were released the same day,” she added.
Allegations of procedural defects
While police say there were no procedural irregularities in the arrests of the workers and activists, the activists said in bail applications that they were not presented with any arrest records at the time of their arrests, their family members were not shown any search warrants before their homes were searched, and at least three activists have alleged police violence since their arrests.
Lawyers said some FIRs were also filed much later, suggesting an afterthought.
Responding to the allegations, the commissioner said: “We have followed all procedure in letter and spirit. We have issued search warrants, non-bailable warrants and other documents wherever needed. We have video recordings of all interrogations, thereby eliminating the possibility of custodial violence,” Ms Singh added.
Published – 14 May 2026 03:25 IST
