Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Rights Group Seeks Release of Eight Noida Activists
A workers’ protest took place in Noida in April.
Eight activists connected to the protest are still in jail, according to a rights group.
The group is called the Campaign for the Release of Workers and Activists of Noida, or CaRWAN.
It wants the activists released.
The Allahabad High Court cancelled National Security Act charges against another activist, Akriti Chaudhary.
Chaudhary has received bail in six of 11 related cases.
CaRWAN says the police used criminal cases to silence people supporting workers.
The article does not include a response from the Uttar Pradesh government or police.
CaRWAN says eight activists remain jailed over April’s Noida workers’ protest cases.
The group called for their release after the Allahabad High Court quashed NSA charges against Akriti Chaudhary.
Uttar Pradesh has filed 11 FIRs against the eight activists, according to CaRWAN.
Chaudhary has secured bail in six of the 11 cases, while the remaining cases continue.
CaRWAN alleges police criminalised workers’ dissent and says NSA action was also taken against journalist Satyam Verma.
- Who
- CaRWAN, eight jailed activists, Akriti Chaudhary, Uttar Pradesh police and journalist Satyam Verma.
- What
- CaRWAN demanded the release of eight activists still jailed in cases linked to the Noida workers’ protest.
- When
- The demand was made on Thursday; the protest took place in April.
- Where
- Noida, Uttar Pradesh, with the legal relief granted by the Allahabad High Court.
- Why
- CaRWAN says the activists were targeted for supporting workers seeking better pay and working conditions and for opposing the police’s alleged criminalisation of dissent.
CaRWAN’s allegations
Authorities’ legal actions
Purpose of the cases
CaRWAN’s allegations
CaRWAN says the cases are a ploy to criminalise workers’ dissent, defame their protest and silence supporters.
Authorities’ legal actions
The Uttar Pradesh government has continued proceedings through 11 FIRs against the activists; the article gives no detailed official explanation for the cases.
National Security Act invocation
CaRWAN’s allegations
CaRWAN welcomed the quashing of NSA charges against Akriti Chaudhary and said the Allahabad High Court found the state’s reasoning concocted.
Authorities’ legal actions
The Uttar Pradesh police had invoked the NSA against Chaudhary and journalist Satyam Verma, but the article does not include an official response to the court’s decision.
- Activists still in custody
- Eight, according to CaRWAN
- Related protest
- Noida workers’ protest in April
- FIRs against activists
- 11, according to the rights group
- Akriti Chaudhary’s bail
- Granted in six of 11 cases
- Court action
- The Allahabad High Court quashed NSA charges against Chaudhary
- Other NSA case
- The Uttar Pradesh police also invoked the NSA against journalist Satyam Verma
- Advocacy group
- Campaign for the Release of Workers and Activists of Noida