Noida workers’ stir: hold officials accountable for ‘illegal detention’, say lawyers and activists
Lawyers and activists are demanding accountability for officials involved in the detention of workers and students under the National Security Act following wage protests in Noida. This follows a High Court ruling that quashed the detention of a student, labeling the official's actions as an attempt to make an example of her.
Why it matters
The case has sparked a broader debate regarding police overreach, the use of the National Security Act, and the need for administrative accountability in India.
Officials should be held accountable for the continued “illegal detention” of activists and workers in connection with a stir seeking wage hikes in Noida in April, several lawyers, activists and professors demanded at the Press Club of India on Thursday.
The call came following the Allahabad High Court’s ruling on September 2 that quashed the detention of 25-year-old Delhi University law student Akriti Chaudhary under the National Security Act (NSA) in connection with the stir.
At least 15 workers and eight activists, including former journalist Satyam Verma against whom provisions of the NSA have also been invoked, continue to be in jail in cases filed by the Uttar Pradesh police.
The court had come down heavily on Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate Medha Roopam, who had issued the order to detain Ms. Chaudhary. It observed that Ms. Roopam “desired to make an example” out of the petitioner.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in