Allahabad HC defers bail plea of Satyam Verma in Noida workers' protest case

The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday deferred its hearing on the bail plea of freelance translator and former journalist Satyam Verma in one of the 11 criminal cases registered against him in connection with the April 2026 Noida workers' protest. The matter will now be taken up on September 23, after the State sought an opportunity to file objections on the question of parity.

Verma's counsel had argued that he deserved bail on parity with a co-accused who was granted relief in the same case on June 23. The State, however, later sought time to oppose the plea on the same parity ground, prompting the court to post the matter for consideration of its objections.

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

On June 23, the High Court had granted bail to co-accused Shiv Kumar, also known as Shiva, in the same case. In that order, the court noted that Shiv Kumar was not named in the FIR, which had been lodged against a mob, and that he had been in jail since April 14.

Even if Verma secures bail in the present case, he is not expected to be released, as he remains in custody in connection with other criminal cases. He has also been separately detained under the National Security Act.

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 booked separately under the NSA on May 13 along with student activist Akriti Chaudhary. Chaudhary's NSA detention was quashed by the Allahabad High Court on September 2, which also made strong remarks against Noida District Magistrate Medha Roopam and criticised 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.

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.